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Easy Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Dinner

A generous slice of tater tot casserole featuring crispy tater tots, melted cheese, and a hearty ground beef base on a plate.
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Make this simple and hearty Tater Tot Casserole with ground beef, creamy soup, and a crispy, cheesy topping. It is a quick weeknight meal and a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lb ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
  • 1/2 cup frozen corn (optional, for Cowboy Casserole style)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the chopped onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Stir in the garlic powder, salt, and pepper into the beef mixture. If using corn, stir it in now.
  4. In a separate bowl, mix the cream of mushroom soup and milk until smooth. Stir half (1/2 cup) of the shredded cheddar cheese into the soup mixture.
  5. Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  6. Pour the creamy soup mixture over the beef layer, spreading it to cover completely.
  7. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the soup mixture. Do not thaw the tots first.
  8. Bake for 30 minutes.
  9. Remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the tater tots.
  10. Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
  11. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup or use a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
  • To make this a Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole, add 1 teaspoon of yellow mustard to the soup mixture and use only cheddar cheese.
  • If you want a very crispy topping, bake the tots uncovered for the first 30 minutes, then add cheese and bake until melted.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mayaplate.com/tater-tot-casserole-easy-ground-beef-bake/