Description
Hearty cheesy tater tot casserole brings comfort to dinner tables with midwest charm. Ground beef, crispy tots, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal families will devour.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 can (10.5 oz/298 g) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) to prepare for the casserole.
- Sauté ground beef and onions in a skillet over medium heat, cooking until meat is thoroughly browned and crumbled. Carefully drain any accumulated fat.
- Whisk together cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt, and pepper in a separate mixing vessel to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Transfer the seasoned beef mixture into a rectangular baking dish, ensuring an even distribution across the bottom.
- Generously cascade the prepared soup mixture over the meat layer, creating a uniform coating.
- Sprinkle a lavish layer of shredded cheese to cover the soup mixture completely.
- Meticulously arrange frozen tater tots in a uniform, overlapping pattern across the cheese surface, maximizing coverage.
- Position the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until tater tots transform into a crispy, golden-brown topping.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-7 minutes, enabling the ingredients to set and cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, swap ground beef with lean ground turkey or chicken to reduce fat content.
- Create a gluten-free option by using gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and checking that tater tots are gluten-free.
- Boost vegetable intake by mixing chopped bell peppers or spinach into the beef layer for extra nutrition and color.
- Customize the cheese blend by combining cheddar, mozzarella, and pepper jack for a more complex flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg