Tater Tot Beef Casserole (Printable)

Hearty casserole with ground beef, vegetables, and golden crispy tater tots for a comforting meal.

# What you'll need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)

→ Dairy & Sauces

05 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk
07 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

→ Topping

08 - 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
12 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until browned, breaking it up with a spoon; drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet; sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in frozen mixed vegetables; cook for 2 minutes.
05 - Add condensed cream of mushroom soup and whole milk; stir until well combined and heated through. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
06 - Remove from heat and mix in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
07 - Spread beef and vegetable mixture evenly into a 9x13-inch baking dish.
08 - Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top of the mixture.
09 - Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
10 - Remove from oven; sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over tater tots and bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes until cheese melts and tater tots are golden brown.
11 - Optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means weeknight dinner without the stress.
  • One skillet, one baking dish, and a freezer bag—cleanup won't hang over your head all evening.
  • Kids actually ask for seconds, and adults get that satisfied, contented feeling when they finish.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the beef—even a little extra fat changes the texture from creamy to greasy.
  • Frozen tater tots must stay frozen until the moment they go in the oven, or they'll stick together and steam instead of crisping.
03 -
  • Arrange tater tots in a single layer with no overlap—this is the secret to getting them crispy instead of steamed.
  • Use real shredded cheddar, not the pre-shredded stuff with the anti-caking powder, and your sauce will be noticeably creamier and smoother.
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