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Overhead view of a golden brown Tater Tot Casserole, fresh from the oven and ready to serve as a comforting family meal.

Best Tater Tot Casserole

This Tater Tot Casserole recipe elevates a classic comfort food with perfectly balanced flavors and textures. It features a creamy, flavorful ground beef base topped with golden-brown, crispy tater tots and cheddar cheese. A must-try for weeknight dinners and potlucks!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs ground beef 80/20 blend
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas or mixed vegetables optional

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Large bowl
  • whisk
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, sour cream, milk, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  5. Add the soup mixture to the skillet with the ground beef and onion mixture. Stir to combine. Stir in 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and the optional peas or mixed vegetables.
  6. Pour the mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  7. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the beef mixture.
  8. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the casserole is bubbly.
  10. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly.

Notes

For optimal browning, finish the casserole under the broiler for a minute or two, watching carefully to prevent burning. To minimize sogginess, ensure the ground beef is thoroughly drained and use sour cream in place of some of the milk. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.