Tater Tot Casserole With Ground Beef Recipe
This hearty one-pan dish layers savory ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, and crispy golden tater tots, all topped with melted cheese. It's affordable, filling, and incredibly easy to prepare—no fancy ingredients required.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, corn, green beans)
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
- ½ tsp paprika (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together until the meat is browned and the onion is soft—about 6–8 minutes—season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and the frozen mixed vegetables. The mixture should be heated through for a minute or two. Then, stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and mix until melted and combined.
- The beef mixture should be spread evenly in the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top. Don’t worry if they overlap slightly—they’ll still crisp up nicely.
- Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy on top. In the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese over the tots and return to the oven until melted and bubbly.
- Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with paprika for added color and flavor, if desired.