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Cheesy tater tot casserole in white baking dish with crispy golden tots

Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole

Seasoned ground beef and a creamy mushroom sauce layered with two rounds of melted cheddar and a full bag of frozen tater tots that crisp up golden in the oven. A reliable, crowd-feeding weeknight casserole.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Rest Time 0 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Casserole, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 475
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Beef Filling
  • 450g (1 lb) ground beef, 80/20
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, freshly minced
  • 1 can (298g / 10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) beef broth
  • 1/2 cup (120g) full-fat sour cream
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp fine salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 cup (130g) frozen corn or green beans (optional)
Layers
  • 2 cups (200g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
  • 900g (32 oz bag) frozen tater tots

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Aluminum foil
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Spatula

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook ground beef and diced onion together in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking the beef into small crumbles, for 8 to 10 minutes until fully browned. Drain the fat.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and stir for 60 seconds. Add cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, sour cream, and all seasonings. Stir until fully combined. Fold in frozen corn or green beans if using.
  4. Pour the filling into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Scatter 1 cup of cheddar over the filling.
  5. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, tight layer across the cheese.
  6. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  7. Remove the foil, scatter the remaining 1 cup of cheddar over the tots, and bake uncovered for a further 20 minutes until tots are deeply golden and cheese is bubbling.
  8. Rest for 5 minutes before portioning and serving.

Notes

Always use tots frozen and straight from the bag. Thawed tots soften before they can crisp.
Drain the beef fat after browning. Undrained fat causes the filling to separate during baking.
Taste and season the filling before assembling. Condensed soup is already salted.
To make ahead: assemble and refrigerate overnight. Add 10 minutes to the covered baking phase.