Ultimate Creamy Tater Tot Casserole
This Creamy Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal. It combines savory ground beef, a creamy cheese sauce, and crispy tater tots for a family-friendly dish that's easy to customize and endlessly delicious.
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Large skillet
- Spatula
- Large bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking oil or spray
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the ground beef and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, 3/4 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked ground beef and onion mixture to the soup mixture and stir until everything is evenly combined.
- Pour the ground beef mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the ground beef mixture.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
For best results, use high-quality cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soup. Customize the cheese by using a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack for a spicy kick. To add more nutrients, stir in a cup of frozen mixed vegetables or corn to the ground beef mixture. Assemble the casserole ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven. For crispier tater tots, broil the casserole for the last few minutes of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.