Description
Midwestern comfort shines in this hearty Tater Tot Casserole, blending ground beef, creamy cheese, and crispy potato nuggets into a soul-warming dish. Families will gather eagerly around this nostalgic meal that promises warmth and satisfaction with each comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (1 lb or 453 grams) ground beef
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup milk
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- ½ small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
Canned and Frozen Ingredients:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces or 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 bag (32 ounces or 907 grams) frozen tater tots
Sauces and Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Place a large skillet on medium heat and combine ground beef with diced onions, stirring continuously until meat turns completely brown and onions become translucent.
- Eliminate excess fat from the meat mixture by carefully draining through a colander or using paper towels.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for approximately 60 seconds, releasing its aromatic flavors.
- Pour cream of mushroom soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper into the meat mixture, stirring until ingredients are fully integrated and create a cohesive sauce.
- Allow the mixture to gently simmer for two minutes, enabling flavors to meld together and sauce to slightly thicken.
- Transfer the seasoned meat mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly across the surface.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a uniform layer completely covering the meat mixture, creating a crispy potato topping.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until tater tots transform into a golden-brown, crunchy crust.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5-7 minutes before serving to allow internal temperatures to stabilize and flavors to settle.
Notes
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a lighter dish without compromising flavor.
- Consider using low-sodium cream of mushroom soup for a healthier version that controls salt intake.
- Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils to make this casserole vegetarian-friendly and protein-packed.
- Customize the topping by sprinkling shredded cheese or crushed crackers over the tater tots for extra crunch and depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg