Cheesy Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole (Printable)

Hearty beef and cheese casserole topped with crispy tater tots, perfect for easy family dinners.

# Ingredient List:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables

→ Dairy & Cheese

04 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
05 - 1 cup whole milk

→ Pantry

06 - 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
07 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
08 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
10 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Topping

13 - 1 bag (32 ounces) frozen tater tots

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and chopped onion until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
03 - Stir in mixed vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until well combined and heated through.
04 - Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the top of the mixture.
05 - Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese and beef mixture, covering the surface completely.
06 - Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, until tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
07 - Remove from oven and sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese over the casserole. Return to oven for 5 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set slightly.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The tater tots get impossibly crispy while staying tender underneath
  • Everything cooks in one dish so cleanup is practically nonexistent
  • It feeds six people without requiring any fancy techniques
02 -
  • Draining the beef fat prevents the casserole from becoming greasy
  • Thawing tater tots for 15 minutes before arranging helps them crisp evenly
  • The resting period is crucial for clean serving portions
03 -
  • Arrange tater tots in neat rows for the most uniform crisping
  • Sprinkle some paprika over the tots before baking for extra color

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