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A delicious-looking Tater Tot Casserole is displayed as the featured image for a food blog post.

Best Tater Tot Casserole

This Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting and family-friendly dish featuring a savory ground beef mixture topped with crispy tater tots and cheddar cheese. It's an easy-to-make and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Get ready to enjoy a symphony of flavors and textures that everyone will love.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup frozen mixed vegetables peas, carrots, corn) (optional
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions, for garnish optional
  • Hot sauce, to taste optional
  • Bacon bits, for added flavor and texture optional

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large Skillet
  • Mixing Spoon
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Oven
  • Can opener
  • Colander or strainer

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  3. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  5. Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese (reserve the other half for topping), milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is combined and smooth.
  6. If you're using frozen vegetables, stir them in now.
  7. Pour the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
  8. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the beef mixture.
  9. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the tater tots.
  10. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the casserole is bubbly.
  11. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.
  12. Garnish with chopped green onions, if desired.

Notes

For extra crispy tater tots, do not thaw them before baking and ensure they are arranged in a single layer. Broil for the last few minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven, microwave, or skillet. Try using different meats like ground turkey or sausage. Add diced tomatoes and green chilies for a Southwestern twist, or experiment with different cheeses and vegetables.