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Easy Cheesy Poor Man’s Tater Tot Casserole

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A quick and comforting casserole featuring ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, and crispy tater tots topped with melted cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Perfect for busy nights and a crowd-pleaser for all ages.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef (90% lean)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (10.5 oz / 300 g) condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup (240 ml) milk
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 4 cups (about 280 g) frozen tater tots
  • 1 1/2 cups (170 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup (60 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Optional: 1/2 cup (60 g) frozen peas or corn

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook for about 6-8 minutes until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the beef and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Toss in the minced garlic and stir for another minute, being careful not to burn it.
  4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper until smooth.
  5. Pour the soup mixture over the beef in the skillet and stir to combine evenly. If using peas or corn, fold them in now.
  6. Transfer the beef and sauce mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the top.
  7. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese. Do not thaw them first.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy. Tent loosely with foil if the topping browns too fast.
  9. Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Keep tater tots frozen until baking to ensure crispiness. For extra crispy topping, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end but watch carefully to avoid burning. Drain excess fat from beef to prevent greasiness. You can prepare the beef mixture ahead and refrigerate before assembling casserole.

Nutrition

Keywords: tater tot casserole, cheesy casserole, ground beef casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, quick casserole, family meal

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/easy-cheesy-poor-mans-tater-tot-casserole-recipe-for-perfect-comfort-food/