Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
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Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for when you want dinner to be easy and satisfying. Picture this: layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy soup, and melty cheese, all topped with crispy tater tots that bake up perfectly golden. It’s the kind of dish that’s as fun to eat as it is to make. Perfect for a busy weeknight or feeding a hungry crowd, this is a guaranteed hit.
Want to switch things up? Try making my Tater Tot Chicken Pot Pie! Or dive into some of our other must-try dinners like my Lasagna Stuffed Shells , Stuffed Peppers , Italian sausage and potato dinner, or The BEST Meatloaf!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: It’s a simple, fuss-free recipe that comes together with minimal effort, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Family Favorite: Kids and adults alike love the combination of crispy tater tots and cheesy goodness—it’s a dish that pleases everyone.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This original tater tot casserole recipe is a great dish to prepare in advance and just pop in the oven when you’re ready to eat, making it a time-saver.
- Budget-Friendly: The ingredients are affordable and readily available, making it a cost-effective meal option.
This easy Tater Tot Casserole is a lifesaver, especially on those crazy busy weeknights. We’re talking only four ingredients here, and you probably already have them in your kitchen. It’s seriously that simple. You just layer seasoned ground beef, a can of creamy soup, sprinkle on some cheese, and top it all off with tater tots. Pop it in the oven, and boom—dinner’s done! It’s one of those recipes that’s practically foolproof, so you can’t mess it up even if you’re juggling a million things at once.
And the best part? Everyone loves it. I’m not kidding—this casserole is always a hit. It’s got that perfect combo of crispy, cheesy, and savory that makes it irresistible. Plus, it reheats like a dream, so if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, you’re set for the next day too. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll see why it’s become a regular in my dinner rotation.
Ingredients For This Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Chances are good you already have everything you need for this tatertot casserole ecipe. It surprisingly has a lot of flavor considering the short ingredient list! Here is what you will need to get started:
- Ground Beef: I use the frozen ground beef from Costco. It’s super cheap and always in our freezer.
- Cream Soup: Here is the secret, you can use almost any creamed soup! We rotate between cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken. We always have them on hand and they work well with the flavors of the beef and cheese.
- Cheese: A little sharp cheddar, or mild if you prefer, is the perfect finishing touch.
- Tots: Here’s the deal, regular tater tots work amazingly well. However, if you like a little more crispy potato opt for crispy crowns! They’re tots that have essentially been formed into a more flat disk which helps them bake a little more crispy.
- Seasonings: Optional, but you can season this with any of your favorite seasoning blends! It’s already pretty salty, with the soup, but we really love Livia’s Seasoning Salt! That being said, this is actually good with no seasonings. Don’t come for me.
That is all you need to get this belly filling meal on the table. Our house is divided. Half of us prefer the cream of mushroom while the other side is all about cream of chicken. Both canned soups work brilliantly in this dish so don’t be afraid to mix it up. Want something a little different but just as simple? Try this Pizza Casserole!
Recipe Variations for Tater Tot Casserole Recipes
- Veggie Boost: Add a layer of frozen or canned vegetables like green beans, corn, or peas for extra nutrients. You can mix them right in with the ground beef or layer them under the tater tots.
- Spicy Kick: Love a little heat? Add some diced jalapeños, a sprinkle of crushed red pepper, or use spicy cheese to give the casserole a bit of a kick.
- Breakfast Version: Turn it into a breakfast casserole by swapping the ground beef for cooked sausage or bacon, and adding scrambled eggs into the mix. Top with tots and bake for a delicious morning treat.
- Southwest Style: Mix in a can of black beans, some taco seasoning, and a cup of salsa with the beef. Top with cheddar and serve with sour cream and guacamole for a Southwest twist.
- Cheesy Overload: If you’re a cheese lover, double the amount of cheese in the casserole. You can also experiment with different types like pepper jack, gouda, or even a cheese blend for more flavor.
- BBQ Flavor: Mix the ground beef with a bit of BBQ sauce for a smoky, tangy variation. Top with shredded cheese and tater tots for a BBQ-inspired casserole.
How To Make Tater Tot Casserole
Ready for the craziest easiest dinner instructions? I am so sure you’ll be just as obsessed with this ground beef tater tot casserole as we are!
- Cook the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef. Cook and crumble for 3 to 5 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Drain any grease from the pan.
- Layer the Casserole: Stir the cream soup and shredded cheese into the meat mixture. Transfer to a Stir in the cream soup and shredded cheese. Transfer to a 9 inch baking dish and spread into an even layer.
- Bake: Add the tater tots in a single layer and bake according to the tater tot package directions.
- Enjoy: Remove from the oven and serve immediately!
Storage and Make Ahead Instructions
Storage: Let the hamburger tater tot casserole cool completely, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It reheats well, so it’s perfect for enjoying later in the week.
Make-Ahead: To make this beef casserole with tater tots ahead of time, simply assemble it as directed, but hold off on baking. Cover it tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
When you’re ready to bake, just pop it in the oven and add a few extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure it’s heated through. You can also freeze the unbaked casserole for up to 3 months—just thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.
Freezing: After assembling the casserole, and before baking, cover it tightly with aluminum foil or freezer-safe wrap, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before baking it according to the recipe instructions.
Expert Recipe Tips:
Drain the Meat: After browning the ground beef, make sure to drain any excess fat. This prevents the casserole from becoming greasy and ensures a better texture.
Even Layering: Make sure to evenly distribute the ingredients in the casserole dish. This ensures every bite has a good mix of beef, cheese, and crispy tater tots.
Cheese Variations: Don’t be afraid to mix up the cheese. Sharp cheddar adds a bold flavor, while a blend of cheeses can make the casserole even more delicious. Adding a layer of cheese on top of the beef before placing the tater tots ensures every bite is cheesy and delicious.
Add a Sauce: If you like a creamier casserole, mix in a little extra milk or broth with the soup to make the sauce slightly thinner. This helps the sauce spread evenly through the casserole.
Let It Rest: After baking, let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set, making it easier to cut and serve.
Helpful Tools
- 9 Inch Baking Dish: I really love my OXO Baking Dishes (affiliate). They come with lids which make for quick storage of leftovers.
- Plates: Love the plates I used? You can pick up a set here. (affiliate)
- Cheese Grater: Currently obsessed with this tabletop cheese grater (affiliate). It comes with several attachments and they are all amazing.
Recipe FAQs
The difference is mainly regional. “Hotdish” is a term used in the Midwest, especially in Minnesota, for a one-dish meal combining meat, veggies, and a starch with a creamy soup. “Casserole” is a more general term used across the U.S. Both are essentially the same dish, just known by different names depending on where you are.
Sogginess can happen if you didn’t drain the ground beef well, leaving too much fat in the dish, or if there was too much liquid added. Also, if the tater tots weren’t baked long enough, they might not crisp up. To fix this, drain the meat thoroughly, avoid excess liquid, and bake uncovered for the last few minutes.
Tater Tot Casserole typically includes ground beef, a creamy soup (like cream of mushroom or chicken), shredded cheese, and tater tots on top. Some versions also include veggies like green beans or corn.
For the crispiest tater tots, increase the temperature of the oven to 450 degrees. Pre-baking the tater tots on a sheet before assembling the casserole can also help them stay extra crispy.
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Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 (10.5 oz ) can cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 2-3 cups frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Prep a 9×9 inch casserole dish with a mist of cooking spray. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef. Cook and crumble for 3 to 5 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Drain any grease from the pan.
- Stir the cream soup and shredded cheese into the meat mixture. Transfer to a Stir in the cream soup and shredded cheese. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
- Add the tater tots in a single layer and bake according to the tater tot package directions, about 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
WE HAVE ALWAYS MADE OUR TATER TOT CASSEROLE DISH W/ONLY THESE INGREDIENTS:
HAMBURGER MEAT, A BAG OF FROZEN TATER TOTS, CONDENSED CHEDDAR CHEESE SOUP(AND ADDING ABOUT 1/2 TO 3/4 OF MILK IN THE CAN OF SOUP), MIX ALL 2GETHER, HEAT IN OVEN ACCORDING TO TATER TOTS AND SERVE……MMMMM YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY 4 OUR TUMMY TUMMY TUMMIES 🤣🤣🤣.
BUT SERIOUSLY THAT’S IT AND IT’S VERY EASY, SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS.
I’m fixing it right now, not a fan of mushroom soup, so I’m trying it with cream of bacon😜
Let us know how it turns out!!
This was super easy recipe! I even added mixed veggies in it. I used cream of mushroom. Even sour cream ;)! Thank you
Love the idea of adding mixed veggies!