Comforting Midwest Tater Tot Casserole (Printable Version)
Hearty beef and vegetable casserole topped with crispy golden tater tots and melted cheddar cheese.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef, 85% lean
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cups frozen corn kernels
04 - 1 cup frozen peas
→ Sauces & Dairy
05 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk
07 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
→ Pantry & Seasonings
08 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
09 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
10 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
→ Topping
12 - 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
# Step-by-Step:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and chopped onion until beef is browned and onion is softened, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
03 - Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
04 - Add the condensed cream of mushroom soup and milk to the skillet. Stir until fully combined and smooth.
05 - Fold in the frozen corn kernels and frozen peas until evenly distributed throughout the sauce mixture.
06 - Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top.
07 - Arrange frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the entire surface of the casserole. Ensure they are tightly packed but not overlapping.
08 - Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
09 - Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set slightly for easier scooping.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It's the kind of dinner that brings everyone to the table, even on chaotic weeknights when the last thing you want to do is cook
- The combination of textures is pure magic, crispy on top and creamy underneath, with that nostalgic Midwest flavor that feels like a warm hug
02 -
- The tater tots must go into the oven completely frozen, or they'll turn disappointingly soggy instead of achieving that perfect crispy exterior
- Letting the casserole rest for those five minutes might seem unnecessary when everyone's hungry, but it really does make serving so much easier and neater
03 -
- Sprinkle some extra cheese over the tater tots during the last 5 minutes of baking for those gorgeous cheese crusted tots that everyone fights over
- If the casserole seems too brown on top before it's bubbly throughout, tent it loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes