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Best Easy Cheesy Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

cheesy ground beef tater tot casserole - featured image

A comforting, cheesy casserole with a crispy tater tot topping, perfect for busy weeknights. This easy recipe features a creamy ground beef filling and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (10.5 oz / 298g) condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk or 2% milk
  • 1/2 cup (120g) sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 (32 oz / 907g) bag frozen tater tots
  • 2 cups (8 oz / 226g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup (2 oz / 57g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Optional garnish: fresh chopped parsley or chives

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Shred the cheese if using blocks.
  2. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Reduce heat to low. Add the cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir until smooth and let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Pour the beef mixture into an ungreased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the top.
  6. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese. Do not press them down.
  7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the tater tots are golden brown and the filling is bubbly. For extra crispiness, broil for the last 2-3 minutes.
  8. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired.

Notes

For the crispiest tater tots, do not thaw them before baking. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow the filling to set. Shred your own cheese for the best melting results.

Nutrition

Keywords: tater tot casserole, ground beef casserole, cheesy casserole, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food