Description
This Tater Tots Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make dish combining savory ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, tangy sour cream, and crispy golden tater tots topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, this casserole bakes to bubbling perfection, delivering layers of flavor and texture in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
Dairy and Canned Goods
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Frozen Items
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole evenly.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onion: In a skillet over medium heat, brown 1 lb of ground beef together with the chopped small onion until the beef is fully cooked and the onions are soft. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Mix Cream Soup and Sour Cream: Stir in one 10.5 oz can of cream of mushroom soup and 1/2 cup of sour cream to the beef mixture. Season the blend with salt and pepper to your taste, ensuring it is well combined and flavorful.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the beef mixture evenly into a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out to form a base layer.
- Add Tater Tots Layer: Spread the entire 32 oz bag of frozen tater tots generously over the beef mixture in a single layer.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the top of the tater tots.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown, crispy, and the casserole is hot and bubbly throughout. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or celery soup for a different flavor.
- For added veggies, consider mixing in some frozen peas or chopped bell peppers into the beef mixture.
- Use reduced-fat sour cream and cheese to make a lighter version of the casserole.
- Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving to help it set and make it easier to serve.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture retention.
