Description
This classic Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish featuring a savory ground beef and creamy mushroom soup base, topped with crispy golden tater tots and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines simple pantry staples into a delicious baked casserole that is both satisfying and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- Salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 (16 ounce) package frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, cooking and stirring until it is completely browned and crumbly, about 7 to 10 minutes. This ensures the beef is fully cooked and ready to combine with other ingredients.
- Add Soup and Seasonings: Stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup into the cooked ground beef. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste, mixing thoroughly to create a flavorful base.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the beef and soup mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the beef mixture. Sprinkle the shredded Cheddar cheese evenly on top of the tater tots.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and cooked through, and the cheese is melted and slightly browned.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can sauté diced onions and garlic with the ground beef.
- To make it spicier, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or celery soup depending on preference.
- Feel free to add vegetables such as peas or corn for added nutrition and texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to three days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
