The ultimate Tater Tot Casserole! Packed with layers of flavor, this easy, delicious dish is perfect for any night of the week. It’s guaranteed to become a family favorite in no time. Obsessed with casseroles? This one’s a must-try!
The Best Tater Tot Casserole
Quick and easy dinners are a lifesaver for our busy family, especially with active kids. This Tater Tot Casserole is one of our go-tos because it’s simple, delicious, and made with ingredients we usually have on hand. Ground beef, tater tots, and a few pantry staples come together for a meal that’s ready in no time. We love adding broccoli, but green beans work great too. With so many versions out there, we’re confident this one’s the best!
Check out some of our other favorite casserole recipes like Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole, Easy Taco Casserole, Crack Chicken Casserole, Chicken Tater Tot Casserole, or Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole!
✅Ingredient Notes
- Ground Beef: Use 90% lean/10% fat ground beef to keep the casserole flavorful without being greasy. You can also substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Onion: Finely dice the onion so it blends well with the other ingredients.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds the best flavor.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: This adds creaminess and binds the casserole together. If you prefer, you can use cream of chicken or cream of celery soup instead.
- Sour Cream: Full-fat sour cream gives the casserole a rich texture, but you can substitute with light sour cream or Greek yogurt for a healthier option.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth to the flavor. If you don’t have it on hand, soy sauce can be a good substitute.
- Broccoli Florets: Steamed and chopped broccoli adds a nice veggie boost. Frozen broccoli works just as well—just make sure it’s thawed and drained before using.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor, but feel free to use your favorite cheese blend. Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but shredding your own from a block will melt better.
- Tater Tots: Use frozen tater tots directly from the bag. There’s no need to thaw them first—they’ll bake up crispy and golden on top.
- Salt and Pepper: Season the ground beef and vegetable mixture to taste before assembling the casserole. Remember, the soup and cheese already add salt, so go easy at first.
🔪How to Make Tater Tot Casserole
❗For full details, be sure to check out the recipe card below!
Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F and grease your baking dish.
Cook Beef: Brown the ground beef in a skillet, then sauté onions and garlic.
Mix: Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
Assemble: Layer the beef mixture in the dish, top with broccoli, cheddar cheese, and tater tots.
Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Serve: Enjoy your creamy, cheesy casserole hot out of the oven!
👨🍳Helpful Tips for Making Tater Tot Casserole
- Drain the Beef: After browning the ground beef, make sure to drain any excess fat. This prevents the casserole from becoming too greasy and ensures a better texture.
- Use Frozen Tater Tots: There's no need to thaw the tater tots before adding them to the casserole. They’ll bake up crispy and golden right from frozen, which is key to achieving that perfect crunch.
- Steam the Broccoli: If you’re using fresh broccoli, steam it lightly before adding it to the casserole. Frozen broccoli should be thawed and drained to avoid excess moisture.
- Cheese Matters: For the best melt and flavor, shred your own cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect melting.
- Cover with Foil: If you notice the tater tots are browning too quickly before the rest of the casserole is fully heated, cover the dish with foil.
- Make Ahead: This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and remove it from the fridge 15-20 minutes before baking to take off the chill.
- Freezing: You can freeze the casserole after assembling but before baking. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if needed.
Recipe Variations
- Mexican Style: Swap the cream of mushroom soup with a can of enchilada sauce. Add taco seasoning to the ground beef and mix in black beans, corn, and diced green chilies. Top with shredded Mexican cheese blend and serve with sour cream and salsa.
- Breakfast Casserole: Use breakfast sausage instead of ground beef. Add scrambled eggs and mix in sautéed bell peppers and onions. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and bake until golden.
- Vegetarian: Skip the meat and use a mix of sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers. Substitute the cream of mushroom soup with a can of cream of celery soup and add a layer of spinach for extra greens.
🗄️Storage and Reheating
Store leftover Tater Tot Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop it in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions, but the tater tots may lose some of their crispiness. For best results, cover with foil when reheating in the oven to retain moisture.
If you make this recipe be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! I will be happy to hear from you!
Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound 90% lean/10% fat ground beef
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups broccoli florets steamed and chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups frozen tater tots
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease an 8 or 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set it aside.
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onions to the skillet and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until translucent.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently.
- Mix It Up: Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream until everything is well combined. Season with Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Layer the broccoli over the beef mixture, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Top with Tater Tots: Finish by layering the tater tots on top.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve immediately and enjoy this creamy, cheesy, and comforting dish!
Notes
Nutrition
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Lindsay says
Total comfort food! The crispy tater tots on top with the creamy filling underneath—absolute perfection. My kids cleaned their plates, which never happens!
Tatiana says
That’s a huge win, Lindsay! Tater tots have a way of making everything better, don’t they?