Description
Comfort meets convenience in this hearty Tater Tot Casserole, blending ground beef, crispy potato tots, and melted cheese into a satisfying one-dish meal. Families will savor each cheesy, golden-brown bite of this classic midwestern comfort dish you can whip up in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef or ground turkey
Cheese:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
Starch and Vegetables:
- 1 bag (32 ounces / 907 grams) frozen tater tots
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and thoroughly cook ground meat, crumbling it into small pieces while browning.
- Drain any accumulated fat from the meat and return skillet to low heat.
- Incorporate cream of mushroom soup, mixed vegetables, onion powder, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture, stirring until ingredients are evenly distributed and heated through.
- Transfer the savory meat and vegetable blend into a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating an even layer across the bottom.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over the meat mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Carefully arrange frozen tater tots in a uniform single layer on top of the cheese, positioning them close together for maximum crispiness.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and place casserole in the center rack.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until tater tots turn golden brown and crisp, and cheese melts completely.
- Remove from oven and let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and ease cutting.
Notes
- Customize the protein by using plant-based ground meat for a vegetarian version that keeps the hearty texture and flavor.
- Swap cream of mushroom soup with a homemade cashew cream sauce to reduce processed ingredients and add a creamy, nutritious alternative.
- Boost vegetable content by adding extra chopped bell peppers, spinach, or kale to increase nutritional value and create more vibrant color.
- Prepare this casserole ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, making meal prep easier for busy families.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg