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cheesy tater tot casserole Recipe

Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole

A comforting, family-friendly classic, this cheesy tater tot casserole features layers of ground beef, creamy soup, gooey cheese, and crispy tater tots. Perfect for a cozy dinner or potluck, it’s quick to assemble and always a hit.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 persons
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef (lean)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced about 120 grams
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced about 6 grams
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup 300 grams/10.5 oz
  • 120 ml whole milk (1/2 cup)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (15 ml)
  • 900 grams frozen tater tots about 32 oz/1 large bag
  • 240 grams cheddar cheese, shredded about 2 cups
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (2.5 grams)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (1.5 grams)
  • 1 tablespoon oil for cooking (15 ml)
  • 2 stalks green onions, sliced (optional) for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 large skillet
  • 1 9x13 inch baking dish
  • 1 mixing spoon
  • 1 cheese grater if using block cheese
  • 1 spatula

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
  3. Add ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  4. Stir in cream of mushroom soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix until fully combined and mixture is heated through. Remove from heat.
  5. Transfer beef mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish and spread evenly.
  6. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese (about 120 grams/1 cup) over the beef layer.
  7. Evenly arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
  8. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top of the tater tots.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, until cheese is melted and tater tots are golden and crispy.
  10. Let it cool for 5 minutes, then garnish with sliced green onions if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

You can swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter option. Cream of chicken soup can be used instead of mushroom if preferred. Feel free to add a cup of frozen mixed vegetables in step 4 for extra nutrition. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.