Tater Tot Casserole

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4.82 from 100 votes
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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!
  • Slow cook it: Check out this slow cooker tater tot casserole recipe for a tasty crock pot version of this delicious casserole.
  • 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.

Recipe
Tater Tot Casserole in glass 9x13 baking dish
Recipe
4.82 from 100 votes

Tater Tot Casserole

Author: Jaclyn
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Crispy, cheese-covered, tater tots combine with ground beef in a creamy sauce in this easy tater tot casserole recipe.

Ingredients
 

  • 1 pound 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
Tater Tot Casserole in glass 9x13 baking dish

Did You Make This Recipe?

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Pinterest Image, reads: Tater Tot Casserole; Only 4 ingredients!
4.82 from 100 votes (89 ratings without comment)

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25 Comments

  1. Really good, even my picky husband enjoyed it. Definitely will add to the dinner list!

  2. 5 stars
    Loved this! Reminiscent of when my mom would make it! I added fresh chopped mushrooms, garlic salt, pepper, and a little beef bullion to boost the beef flavor. We all agreed this is a keeper!

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