Tater Tot Beef Casserole (Printable)

Savory ground beef and veggies topped with crispy tots, baked until golden brown and melty.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)

→ Dairy & Sauces

05 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk
07 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

→ Topping

08 - 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
12 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet; sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in the frozen mixed vegetables and cook for 2 minutes to thaw and slightly soften.
05 - Mix in condensed cream of mushroom soup and whole milk. Stir thoroughly and heat through, then season with salt, black pepper, and paprika if using.
06 - Remove the skillet from heat and fold in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
07 - Evenly spread the beef and vegetable mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish.
08 - Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the beef mixture.
09 - Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
10 - Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots, and return to the oven for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese melts and the tater tots are golden.
11 - Optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's genuinely hard to mess up, which means less stress and more time enjoying dinner with people you care about.
  • The crispy-topped, creamy-centered contrast hits different every single time, even when you make it for the third time that month.
02 -
  • Frozen tater tots go in straight from the freezer because thawing them first turns them into sad little sticks with no personality.
  • Don't drain all the fat from the beef if you're worried about flavor, because a little of that richness is exactly what keeps this from tasting timid.
03 -
  • Arranging the tater tots in a single layer matters because overlap creates steam pockets that soften them instead of crisping them.
  • The second cheese sprinkle isn't just decorative, it's the texture contrast that makes someone say yes when you ask if they want more.
Go Back