Tater Tot Casserole Ground Beef (Printer-friendly)

Crispy tater tots crown a hearty beef and vegetable filling with creamy cheddar sauce. A comforting one-dish meal perfect for busy weeknights.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables

→ Dairy & Sauces

05 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk
07 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

→ Topping

08 - 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp paprika
12 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3–4 minutes, until softened.
04 - Stir in the frozen mixed vegetables and cook for 2 minutes.
05 - Add the cream of mushroom soup and milk. Stir until well combined and heated through. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
06 - Remove from heat and mix in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
07 - Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly into a 9x13-inch baking dish.
08 - Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top.
09 - Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
10 - Remove from oven, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the tater tots, and bake for another 5–10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and tater tots are golden brown.
11 - Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It is the ultimate weeknight comfort food that comes together in under an hour
  • The combination of creamy beef filling and crispy tater tot topping creates the most satisfying texture contrast
  • This recipe makes excellent leftovers and actually tastes better the next day
02 -
  • Draining the excess fat from the ground beef prevents the casserole from becoming greasy during baking
  • Letting the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving makes it much easier to scoop clean portions
  • The tater tots will continue crisping slightly after you remove the casserole from the oven
03 -
  • For the crispiest tater tots, arrange them cut side up in neat rows instead of casually scattering them
  • Place your baking dish on a foil lined sheet pan to catch any bubbling over messes
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