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Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef and Cheesy Mushroom Sauce Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 1 review
  • Author: Lora
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
  • Total Time: 45-50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for weeknight dinners. It features savory browned ground beef mixed with a creamy mushroom soup and sour cream sauce, layered with shredded cheddar cheese and topped with crispy golden tater tots. Baked to perfection, this casserole combines creamy, cheesy, and crunchy textures for a crowd-pleasing meal that’s easy to prepare and delicious.


Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional seasonings: garlic powder, paprika, or any favorite spices


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
  2. Cook the ground beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef thoroughly. Add the diced onions and cook until they become softened. Season with salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings such as garlic powder or paprika. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
  3. Combine with cream sauce: Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream, mixing well with the ground beef and onion mixture. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to heat through and blend the flavors.
  4. Layer in the casserole dish: Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef and sauce mixture evenly across the bottom.
  5. Add cheese layer: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef mixture to create a cheesy layer.
  6. Add tater tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese layer.
  7. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
  8. Add final cheese layer: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Serve: Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set and make handling easier.

Notes

  • You can customize the seasoning based on your preference by adding garlic powder, paprika, or other spices.
  • Use reduced-fat sour cream and cheese to lower the fat content if desired.
  • Ensure to drain the ground beef well after cooking to avoid excess grease in the casserole.
  • For a vegetarian option, substitute ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives and use vegetarian mushroom soup.