Description
Comfort meets nostalgia in this cheesy tater tot casserole, a hearty Midwestern classic that promises warmth and satisfaction. Crispy golden tots crowned with melted cheese create a crowd-pleasing dish perfect for family dinners and potluck gatherings you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 (10 ounces/283 grams) can of cream of chicken soup
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 0.5 pounds (227 grams) frozen tater tots
- 0.25 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 0.25 teaspoon seasoned salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, ensuring it’s ready for the casserole’s arrival.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onions until meat browns and onions soften, approximately 7-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Transfer beef and onion mixture to a 9×9 casserole dish, spreading evenly across the bottom. Sprinkle half the seasoned salt over the meat.
- Distribute sharp cheddar cheese uniformly across the meat layer, creating a rich base.
- Gently spread cream of chicken soup over the cheese, ensuring complete coverage without mixing the layers.
- Arrange tater tots in a single, neat layer across the soup. Sprinkle remaining seasoned salt over the tots.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes, trapping moisture and allowing flavors to meld.
- Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes until tater tots turn golden brown and crispy.
- Allow casserole to rest for 3-5 minutes after removing from oven to stabilize the layers. Serve hot, enjoying the crisp tots and melted cheese.
Notes
- Keep meat lean by using ground turkey or chicken for a healthier twist on the classic recipe.
- Drain excess fat thoroughly to prevent a greasy casserole and maintain a clean, appetizing texture.
- For gluten-free options, verify cream of chicken soup ingredients and use certified gluten-free tater tots.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 392
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 919 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg