Cheesy Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole (Printable)

Hearty beef and cheese casserole topped with crispy tater tots

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or lean)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)

→ Dairy & Cheese

04 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
05 - 1 cup whole milk

→ Pantry

06 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
07 - 2 tbsp ketchup
08 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
10 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
11 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
12 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Topping

13 - 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and chopped onion until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
03 - Stir in mixed vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until well combined.
04 - Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup cheddar cheese over the mixture.
05 - Arrange tater tots in a single layer over the top.
06 - Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, until tater tots are golden and crisp.
07 - Remove from oven and sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese over the casserole. Return to oven for 5 minutes, until cheese is melted.
08 - Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The crispy tots against the creamy beef filling creates that perfect comfort food texture combo
  • Everything comes together in one pan with minimal prep work for hectic weeknights
  • Its the kind of meal that makes everyone gather around the stove, asking when it'll be ready
02 -
  • Drain the beef really well after browning or you'll end up with an oily layer on top
  • Don't crowd your tater tots—slight overlap is fine but piling them too high means soggy spots
  • The cheese goes on halfway through so it doesn't burn while the tots finish crisping up
03 -
  • Line your baking dish with foil for easier cleanup if you're feeling lazy
  • Let the tater tots sit out for 15 minutes before arranging so they don't break apart
  • Use freshly shredded cheese if you can—it melts into that gooey perfection instead of staying separate

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