Tater Tot Ground Beef Casserole (Printable Version)

Hearty layers of seasoned beef, mixed vegetables, creamy sauce, topped with golden tater tots baked to perfection.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)

→ Dairy and Sauces

05 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk
07 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

→ Topping

08 - 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

→ Spices and Seasonings

09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
12 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Set oven to 400°F.
02 - Cook ground beef in large skillet over medium heat until browned, breaking apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet; cook 3-4 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in frozen mixed vegetables and cook for 2 minutes.
05 - Add cream of mushroom soup and milk; stir until combined and heated through. Season with salt, black pepper, and optional paprika.
06 - Remove from heat and mix in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
07 - Spread beef and vegetable mixture evenly in a 9x13-inch baking dish.
08 - Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the meat mixture.
09 - Bake for 30 minutes at 400°F.
10 - Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over tater tots, and bake an additional 5-10 minutes until cheese melts and tater tots are golden brown.
11 - Optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's hands-off once it hits the oven—perfect when you're juggling other things.
  • Those tater tots get impossibly crispy on top while everything underneath stays creamy and warm.
  • You can stretch it, adapt it, or make it fancy without any of those feeling forced.
02 -
  • Don't drain your beef too aggressively—some of that fat carries flavor and keeps the casserole moist instead of dry.
  • Frozen tater tots go directly from freezer to oven; thawing them makes them soggy and defeats the whole crispy purpose.
  • The dish is done when the tater tots are deep golden brown, not just blonde—that's where the real flavor lives.
03 -
  • Brown your beef in a cast iron skillet if you have one—it holds heat beautifully and the beef gets a better crust.
  • Grate your own cheddar if you have time; pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that keep it from melting quite as smoothly.
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