Description
A warm, comforting Tater Tot Casserole that combines ground meat, creamy filling, and crispy tater tots for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey (80 to 90 percent lean)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can condensed soup (cream of mushroom or cream of chicken)
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup milk or broth (to loosen the soup)
- 2 cups mixed frozen vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
- 1 to 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 bag frozen tater tots (keep frozen until use)
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- a dash Worcestershire sauce (for added flavor)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
Cooking the Meat
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef or turkey. Break it apart as it cooks.
- Once the meat is no longer pink, drain excess fat.
- Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Season the meat mixture with salt, pepper, paprika, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce.
Building the Filling
- Lower the heat to medium. Add the condensed soup and 1/3 to 1/2 cup of milk or broth, stirring until creamy.
- Fold in the mixed vegetables. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Assembly and Baking
- Spread the filling into the greased baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Arrange a single layer of frozen tater tots over everything.
- Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, until the filling is bubbling and the tots are golden. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes for extra crunch.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For extra crispy tater tots, keep them frozen up until they go into the oven. Don’t overcrowd them during baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: American