Description
This hearty Tater Tots Casserole combines savory ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, and crispy golden tater tots topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a comforting family meal ready in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
Dairy and Canned Goods
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Frozen Items
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Brown Beef and Onion: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Mix Creamy Ingredients: Stir the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream into the cooked beef and onion mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring the flavors meld nicely.
- Assemble Meat Layer: Transfer the beef mixture evenly into a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out to form the base layer of the casserole.
- Add Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the beef mixture, covering it completely.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the layer of tater tots for a deliciously cheesy topping.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and the casserole is hot and bubbly, signaling it’s ready to serve.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding a few dashes of garlic powder or Worcestershire sauce to the beef mixture.
- You can swap cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or celery soup if preferred.
- To make it lighter, use reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.
- Ensure to use a baking dish large enough (9×13 inch) to allow even cooking of layers.
- Adding a layer of frozen or canned corn between beef and tater tots can add a sweet crunch.
