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You are here: Home » Recipes » Main Dishes » Tater Tot Casserole

Tater Tot Casserole

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Pinterest Image, reads: Tater Tot Casserole; Only 4 ingredients!

This easy tater tot casserole recipe is made with just 4 simple ingredients: ground beef, frozen tater tots, cream of mushroom soup, and cheddar cheese.

Like our Ritz Chicken Casserole, Cheeseburger Casserole, and Chili Cheese Dog Casserole, this easy casserole recipe can be on the table in under an hour for a quick and easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love. Even the picky eaters!

Tater tot casserole with ground beef and melted cheese in a 9 x 13 dish. A wooden spoon in resting in the half-empty dish and a serving of the casserole can be seen on a white plate halfway out of the frame

Crispy, cheese-covered, tater tots combine with ground beef in a creamy sauce for the ultimate comfort food casserole.

Tater Tot Casserole in glass 9x13 baking dish

If your family loves comfort food as much as we do they are going to be begging you to make this tater tot casserole with ground beef again and again.

Wooden spoon full of tater tot casserole with ground beef and cheese

Ingredients

Here is what you will need…

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 (10.5 oz.) can of cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 (28 or 32 oz.) bag frozen tater tots
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • salt and pepper, to taste (optional)
Ingredients in glass bowls: browned ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, cheddar cheese and cheese shredder, frozen tater tots, salt and pepper, and glass casserole dish

Additions and Substitutions

Onions & minced garlic: Elevate the flavor of this easy casserole by throwing some diced onions and/or minced garlic in with your ground beef. Or use some garlic powder and onion powder instead to add to the flavor profile.

Veggies: Make the casserole more of a complete meal by adding a layer of vegetables. Canned green beans, corn, chopped bell peppers, or mixed vegetables are all great additions. Just add them on top of your beef layer.

Cream of chicken: Making this tater tot casserole with cream of chicken soup is also a good option. Just swap the mushroom soup for chicken.

Ground turkey: Swap ground beef for ground turkey for a lighter meal.

Vegetarian: Make your tater tot casserole without meat by either using one of the ground beef substitutes available at the supermarket. Or skip the beef and add a can of veggies instead.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350° F. 

Cook and stir ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until cooked through and no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper to taste, if desired.

Once the beef has been browned, drain any grease. Then, add cream of mushroom soup and stir well. Pour into a lightly greased 9 x 13 baking dish and spread into an even layer. 

Ground beef in a creamy sauce spread in an even layer on the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish

Sprinkle 1 ½ cups of cheese evenly over the beef.

shredded cheddar cheese in 9 x 13 casserole dish

Top with an even layer of tater tots.

tater tot casserole before baking, with tater tots in even rows on top

Bake uncovered until tater tots are golden brown, about 35-45 minutes.

Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese. Return to oven for 3-4 minutes, just to melt the cheese a little bit.

Cheesy tater tot casserole in casserole dish

Serve immediately and enjoy.

I think that you will agree that this is the best tater tot casserole recipe ever. And the easiest too!

Storage

Store: Keep leftovers stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This hearty casserole tastes great the next day!

Freeze: Complete steps 1-5 to assemble the tatertot casserole then wrap tightly and place in the freezer. When you are ready to prepare, simply add 15 minutes to the bake time.

Beef Tater Tot Casserole on white place with another plate and serving in background

Recipe Tips

  • Melty cheese: Freshly grated cheese melts best, so break out your cheese grater!
  • Sneak mushrooms: Kids not a fan of veggies? Try pulsing mushrooms and adding them to your ground beef. This little “parent hack” is a great way to add vegetables to meals without them being noticed!
  • Freezer meal: Tater Tot Casserole freezes well, so make a double batch and store one in your freezer for a quick and easy dinner on a night that you don’t feel like cooking.

Don’t miss these tasty casserole recipes

These easy dinners are perfect for busy weeknights and sure to become a family favorite.

  • Chicken and Rice Casserole
  • Sloppy Joe Casserole with Manwich
  • Chicken Alfredo Casserole
  • Easy Pizza Pasta Casserole
  • Tuna Noodle Casserole
  • Chicken Noodle Casserole
Tater Tot Casserole in glass 9x13 baking dish

Tater Tot Casserole

Crispy, cheese-covered, tater tots combine with ground beef in a creamy sauce in this easy tater tot casserole recipe.
4.75 from 62 votes

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Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 377kcal
Author: Jaclyn Shimmel
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Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 10.5 oz. can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 28 or 32 oz. bag frozen tater tots
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° F. 
  • Cook and stir ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until cooked through and no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
  • Once the beef has browned, drain the grease. Then, add cream of mushroom soup and stir well. Pour into a 9 x 13 baking dish and spread into an even layer. 
  • Sprinkle 1 ½ cups of cheese evenly over the beef
  • Add an even layer of tater tots.
  • Bake uncovered until tater tots are golden brown 35-45 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Pop it back in the oven just until the cheese melts a bit (about 3 minutes).
  • Serve immediatly and enjoy!

Notes

Elevate the flavor of this easy casserole by throwing some diced onions and/or minced garlic in with your ground beef.
Make the casserole more of a complete meal by adding a layer of vegetables. Canned green beans, corn, or mixed vegetables are all great additions. Just add them on top of your beef layer.
Making this tater tot casserole with cream of chicken soup is also a good option. Just swap the mushroom soup for chicken.
You can Swap use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter option.
Keep leftovers stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To freeze, complete steps 1-5 to assemble the casserole then wrap tightly and place in the freezer. When you are ready to prepare add about 15 minutes to the bake time.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 377kcal

The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated by a third party and intended to serve as an estimate only. The accuracy of nutritional information is not guaranteed.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Please rate the recipe and leave a comment on the blog or share on social media and tag @crayonsandcravings!
Pinterest Image, reads: Tater Tot Casserole; Only 4 ingredients!
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By Jaclyn Shimmel | 06/08/2021
Filed Under: Main Dishes, Recipes Tagged With: Beef, Casserole, Comfort Food

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Comments

  1. Natalie says

    06/16/2021 at 12:59 pm

    What a great dinner idea. My family will love this. Thanks for the recipe! I’m making this for sure.

    Reply
  2. Crystal G says

    05/19/2022 at 8:02 pm

    I’m making this again for the second time. My family loved it! I added garlic powder & onion powder to my ground beef & a little seasoned salt. So good!!!

    Reply
  3. Nancy P says

    05/22/2022 at 8:33 pm

    I use MANWICH BOURBON B&B and Southern Style Corn.

    Love it

    Reply
    • Jaclyn Shimmel says

      05/23/2022 at 4:40 pm

      That sounds really yummy.

      Reply
  4. Sher says

    06/17/2022 at 11:11 am

    I loved this recipe. I made it for breakfast adding 2 eggs, and 2 cups of milk with s&p. Yummy!

    Reply
  5. H Mueller says

    09/26/2022 at 7:17 pm

    This was delicious. Next time I will use an 8 x 8 pan, so there is a more even ratio of potatoes to the meat mixture

    Reply
  6. Skeet says

    01/21/2023 at 8:12 pm

    Can this be frozen after cooked and if so for how long?

    Reply
    • Jaclyn Shimmel says

      01/22/2023 at 5:05 pm

      Yes, but I recommend freezing your tater tot casserole before cooking. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer and aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, uncovered for about 60-70 minutes.

      Reply
  7. Ashley Nichole says

    02/16/2023 at 11:31 am

    5 stars
    Sounds delicious wondering if I could split it since it’s just my husband and I?

    Reply
    • Jaclyn Shimmel says

      02/16/2023 at 12:43 pm

      Yes, you could split the recipe into two 8-inch pans and freeze one for later. Enjoy!

      Reply
      • Jaime says

        03/14/2023 at 4:21 pm

        5 stars
        how long would cooking time be if you split it into two 8×8 pans?

      • Jaclyn Shimmel says

        03/14/2023 at 5:03 pm

        It would probably be about 35 minutes, just check to see that the tater tots are golden and everything is cooked through.

  8. Pat Roberts says

    02/27/2023 at 4:22 pm

    5 stars
    super easy and tasty

    Reply
  9. Norma Turner says

    03/16/2023 at 3:10 pm

    Wondering if you are supposed to drain the grease out or leave it

    Reply
    • Jaclyn Shimmel says

      03/16/2023 at 6:01 pm

      Yes, I do drain the grease after browning the beef. I will add that to the recipe 🙂

      Reply
  10. Amy says

    03/29/2023 at 9:19 pm

    5 stars
    Quick and easy casserole on a tight budget! Tastes great, will make again!!

    Reply

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