Tater Tot Casserole (Printable)

Hearty ground beef and vegetable casserole topped with crispy golden tater tots and melted cheddar cheese.

# What You Need:

→ 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 & 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 & Seasonings

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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3–4 minutes, until softened.
04 - Stir in the frozen mixed vegetables and cook for 2 minutes.
05 - Add the cream of mushroom soup and milk. Stir until well combined and heated through. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
06 - Remove from heat and mix in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
07 - Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly into a 9x13-inch baking dish.
08 - Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top.
09 - Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
10 - Remove from oven, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the tater tots, and bake for another 5–10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and tater tots are golden brown.
11 - Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan before hitting the oven, meaning less cleanup and more time to actually enjoy your evening
  • The combination of textures, crispy tops meeting creamy middles, makes every bite interesting and satisfying
02 -
  • Draining the excess fat from the beef keeps the casserole from becoming greasy while maintaining all the savory flavor
  • Letting the dish rest for about 5 minutes after baking helps the layers set so servings hold their shape better
03 -
  • Arrange the tater tots in neat rows instead of randomly scattering them for even browning and a prettier presentation
  • Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded bags for the smoothest melting results
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