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Golden crispy tater tots crown a cheesy, meaty tater tot casserole in a glass baking dish, with a serving removed.
Reda

Ultimate Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole

A comforting and savory casserole featuring a seasoned ground beef and vegetable filling, a rich and creamy cheese sauce, and a crispy, golden-brown tater tot topping. This is the ultimate weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 648
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Beef Filling
  • 1.5 lbs lean ground beef 85/15 lean
  • 1 large yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 1 (12 oz) bag frozen mixed vegetables such as peas, corn, and carrots, thawed
For the Creamy Sauce
  • 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup sour cream full-fat recommended
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
For the Topping
  • 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • 9x13 Inch Casserole Dish
  • Large skillet
  • Mixing Bowl

Method
 

Prepare and Cook the Filling
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon (about 8-10 minutes). Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
  3. Add the diced onion to the skillet with the beef and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper. Remove the skillet from the heat.
Make the Sauce and Assemble
  1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, onion powder, and garlic powder until smooth.
  2. Stir 1.5 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese into the sauce mixture.
  3. Pour the sauce over the beef mixture in the skillet and stir in the thawed mixed vegetables until everything is well combined.
  4. Spread the beef and sauce mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish.
Bake the Casserole
  1. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the filling.
  2. Bake, uncovered, for 40-45 minutes, until the filling is hot and bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
  3. During the final 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the tater tots and bake until melted.
  4. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, try using cream of chicken or cream of celery soup. You can also swap the mixed vegetables for green beans or corn. For a bit of spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.