If the cold weather has you craving your favorite comfort food dishes, then we've got you covered with this hearty and delicious tater tot casserole. From the cheesy, crispy, golden tater tots to the savory and indulgent ground beef filling this meal checks all the boxes of what a good comfort food should be.
Today, we are going to take you through the steps to create your own tater tot casserole. We will tell you the tips and tricks to get the most flavorful filling, the crispiest tater tots, and the gooiest cheese topping for your best dinner.
Table of Contents
Recipe Video
Why This Recipe Works
This tater tot casserole recipe works because of how easily customizable it is and how simple it is to prepare.
Just about any element of this dish can be altered to suit any taste preferences or dietary requirements. Whether you want to swap the ground beef for a plant-based alternative or add some paprika and cumin to the seasoning mix, this recipe has plenty of opportunities for you to take liberties and infuse your culinary creativity.
This tater tot casserole is also so simple to prepare that you'll love it for entertaining and meal prepping. Build your casserole and freeze it before cooking to save for a later date when you need a fast and fulfilling meal. This is also a great recipe to serve when entertaining as it makes enough to serve plenty of people but it also keeps well in the fridge for a few hours until you are ready to cook it, freeing you up to socialize.
Ingredients
Onion:
While this tater tot casserole recipe only calls for onions and carrots, you can incorporate a mix of vegetables for added texture and nutrition. Popular choices include bell peppers, corn, mushrooms, and peas. Saute them at the same time as the onion to enhance their flavors.
Ground Beef:
Ground beef is a classic choice for tater tot casserole, but you can experiment with ground turkey, chicken, pork, plant-based, or vegan meat substitutes. Brown the meat thoroughly before layering.
Seasonings:
This tater tot casserole recipe uses a combination of salt, pepper, and garlic powder to season the dish. You can also incorporate any of your other favorite seasonings to add depth to the dish. Paprika and cayenne will add a fiery kick, while rosemary and thyme will offer earthier notes. Get creative with your casserole!
Cream of Mushroom Soup:
Cream of mushroom soup adds a delightful umami flavor to the mix but you can certainly experiment with different kinds of condensed soups. Cream of chicken, cheese, or celery offers a gambit of flavor options. For a gluten-free option, you can use your favorite brand of gluten-free cream soup or make your roux-based sauce by substituting regular wheat flour with gluten-free flour or cornstarch. To appeal to a vegan diet, vegetable broth or plant-based milk can be used in place of a condensed soup.
Tater Tots:
Use your favorite brand of frozen tater tots for your casserole, or make your own using this simple recipe. If you make your own, the cooking times will likely need to be adjusted as the homemade tater tots won't need as long to cook through as the frozen ones.
Cheese:
A generous layer of cheddar cheese on top adds a deliciously gooey and golden finish. Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or a blend of your favorite cheeses will all work well. Consider mixing in some cream cheese, greek yogurt, or sour cream for added richness. For a non-dairy option, use vegan or plant-based cheese.
How to Make Tater Tot Casserole
Step One:
Place a large pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Once the pan is hot, add the onion and saute until softened and slightly opaque.
Step Two:
Add the ground beef, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until browned.
Step Three:
Stir in mushroom soup, and cook until heated through. Remove from heat.
Step Four:
Add the ground beef mixture to a greased casserole dish and top with a layer of frozen tater tots.
Step Five:
Place tater tots in one layer.
Step Six:
Cover with cheese and bake at 350F for 30-45 minutes.
Step Seven:
Top with fresh herbs, serve, and enjoy 🙂
Tips
- Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven. This helps the flavors meld together and makes it easier to cut into neat portions.
- Before serving, consider adding fresh herbs, crispy bacon bits, chopped green onions, or a dollop of sour cream to enhance the presentation and flavor.
- Follow the recommended baking time, but keep an eye on the casserole towards the end. You want the tater tots to be crispy and the cheese to be melted and bubbly.
What to Serve With Tater Tot Casserole
When serving a rich and hearty dish like tater tot casserole, it's essential to serve it with dishes that will complement its indulgent nature. A crisp, refreshing garden salad with a tangy lemon vinaigrette provides a delightful contrast. Additionally, a side of steamed or roasted broccoli or green beans will add a burst of color and nutritional value to your plate. For a more substantial pairing, consider serving your casserole alongside some garlic bread for soaking up the savory mushroom gravy.
FAQs
Do I need to pre-cook the tater tots?
Since frozen tater tots are used in this tater tot casserole recipe, there is no need to pre-cook the tater tots as they will cook and crisp up during the baking process.
Can I make a tater tot casserole ahead of time?
Yes. If you are entertaining, you can assemble your tater tot casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until you're ready to bake. You can even freeze it for later use, which also makes this tater tot casserole a convenient option for meal prep.
How long can leftover tater tot casserole be kept fresh?
When stored in an airtight container, this tater tot casserole can be kept fresh in the fridge for 3-5 days. For longer-term storage, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw the casserole out and follow the same cooking instructions given in the recipe. If you are reheating from frozen, longer cooking time will be required.
Similar Recipes
Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup white onion chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 bag tater tots frozen
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Place a large pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Once the pan is hot, add the onion and saute until softened and slightly opaque.
- Add the ground beef, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until browned.
- Stir in mushroom soup, and cook until heated through. Remove from heat.
- Add the ground beef mixture to a greased casserole dish and top with a layer of frozen tater tots.
- Cover with cheese and bake at 350F for 30-45 minutes.
- Top with fresh herbs, serve, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Brown the ground beef thoroughly before mixing with other ingredients. It adds more flavor to the casserole.
- If using hash browns or diced potatoes instead of tater tots, ensure they are fully cooked before adding to the casserole.
- Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven. This helps the flavors meld together and makes it easier to cut into neat portions.
- Before serving, consider adding fresh herbs, crispy bacon bits, chopped green onions, or a dollop of sour cream to enhance the presentation and flavor.
- Follow the recommended baking time, but keep an eye on the casserole towards the end. You want the tater tots to be crispy and the cheese to be melted and bubbly.
Made this tonight and it was spectacular. Used Cream of Celery canned soup (its what I had). Use ground venison instead of beef (also what I had). Some of us had sour cream as a topping but those that didn't have a topping, didn't need a topping at all.