Go Back
Overhead view of a golden-brown Tater Tot Casserole, baked to perfection and ready to serve.

Best Tater Tot Casserole Ever

This Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, featuring a creamy, savory ground beef and cheese filling topped with perfectly crispy golden-brown tater tots. It's an easy and customizable dish that's guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser for any weeknight dinner.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter optional

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Can opener
  • Colander (optional, for draining grease)

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  5. Add the browned ground beef and vegetable mixture to the soup mixture and stir until evenly coated.
  6. Pour the ground beef mixture into the 9x13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
  7. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the ground beef mixture.
  8. Optional: Drizzle the melted butter over the tater tots.
  9. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the casserole is bubbly.
  10. Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
  11. Let the casserole stand for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skimp on the seasoning! Feel free to add a pinch of onion powder, paprika, or even a dash of hot sauce for extra flavor. Use good quality cheese. Leftover Tater Tot Casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking. Variations: add cooked bacon, sausage, or ham for a meat lovers version; substitute ground beef with plant-based alternative for vegetarian; add diced tomatoes with green chilies for a spicy kick; use lean ground beef and reduced fat sour cream for a healthier version.