Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef

Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef

Ground beef, onion, and a creamy mushroom sauce sit beneath a layer of golden tater tots in this cheesy casserole. Browning and draining the beef keeps the filling from turning greasy. The tots go on straight from the freezer, while the last of the cheddar goes on near the end of baking so some potato edges can brown.

After a short rest, serve the casserole in generous, loose scoops with beef, potato pieces, and melted cheese in each portion. Finish with a little chopped parsley.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef (680g)
• 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (about 100g)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup (about 300g)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided (225g)
• 1 bag frozen tater tots (28 to 32 ounces; about 850g)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

How to Make Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef

1. Prepare the oven and dish: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
2. Brown the beef: Cook the ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking up the beef as it cooks. When the beef is browned with no pink remaining, drain off excess fat. Ground beef should reach 160°F (70°C) if checked with an instant-read thermometer. Stir in the garlic, salt, and pepper and cook for about 30 seconds.
3. Make the filling: Reduce the heat to low or medium-low. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, condensed soup, milk, and 1 cup of the cheddar. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring until combined. The filling should be creamy and easy to spread, not watery.
4. Assemble: Spread the beef filling evenly in the prepared dish. Arrange the tots straight from the freezer in a reasonably even layer on top. Do not stir them into the filling.
5. Bake and add the cheese: Bake uncovered for 20 to 22 minutes. Scatter the remaining cheddar across the top, leaving some tot edges exposed. Bake for another 5 to 8 minutes, until the filling bubbles around the edges, the exposed tots are golden, and the cheese has melted. If the tots need more color, continue baking in short increments.
6. Rest and serve: Let the casserole stand for about 5 minutes so the filling settles slightly. Scoop onto plates and sprinkle with parsley.

How to Keep the Filling Creamy and the Tots Golden

Drain the browned beef before adding the soup and milk; excess skillet fat can leave the sauce oily or loose. The casserole will still be creamy and scoopable rather than firm enough to cut into neat squares.

Keep the tots in a single, reasonably even layer and bake uncovered. Adding the topping cheese late leaves some potato exposed to the oven heat. Use bubbling filling and golden tots as the final cues: a deeper dish or an oven that runs cool may need more than the suggested bake time.

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating

To make the casserole ahead, assemble it, cover, and refrigerate for up to one day. Bake it cold, allowing roughly 5 to 10 extra minutes, and check for bubbling filling and golden tots rather than relying on the clock alone.

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Reheat portions until hot. The tots will be softer than when freshly baked; for oven reheating, cover loosely with foil to limit drying, then uncover briefly to help the top re-crisp.

Freeze baked portions in freezer-safe containers for up to about 3 months. For an unbaked freezer casserole, cool the beef filling before assembling and use freezer-safe packaging. The tots may soften after thawing and reheating. Do not put a frozen glass dish directly into a preheated oven; follow the bakeware maker’s guidance. Baking time from frozen can vary considerably.

Serving Ideas

Serve generous scoops with a green salad or a simple vegetable side. For another ground beef casserole, try Walking Taco Casserole with Beef, Beans and Corn. For a beef-and-potato dinner with a mashed-potato topping instead, see Classic Ground Beef Shepherd’s Pie in a Skillet.

Nutrition

Approximate nutrition per serving, based on 6 servings: 685 calories, 38g protein, 40g fat, and 41g carbohydrates. Approximate nutrition per 100g: 180 calories, 10g protein, 10g fat, and 11g carbohydrates. Values vary with the brands and exact ingredients used.