Tater Tot Casserole

The smell of tater tot casserole baking in the oven immediately takes me back to Tuesday nights at my grandmas house when she babysat us after school. She always called it "hotdish" because thats what they say in the Midwest and I thought it was the funniest word. The best part was watching her arrange the tots in perfectly straight rows while I sat on the counter swinging my legs.

I made this for my roommates during our first winter apartment sharing and they literally cheered when I pulled it out of the oven. One of them had never heard of tater tot casserole before and looked at me like Id discovered fire. Now she requests it every time the temperature drops below freezing.

Ingredients

• Ground beef: The foundation of the whole casserole and honestly what makes it so hearty and satisfying
• Onion and garlic: These aromatics build the flavor base so dont skip them or rush the sauté
• Frozen mixed vegetables: An easy shortcut that sneaks in some color and nutrition without extra prep work
• Cream of mushroom soup: The binder that holds everything together and creates that creamy texture we all love
• Whole milk: Thins the soup just enough to make it spreadable and adds richness
• Shredded cheddar cheese: Use good quality cheese because it makes a huge difference in the final flavor
• Frozen tater tots: The crowning glory that gets irresistibly crispy and golden
• Salt, pepper, and paprika: Simple seasonings that elevate the basic ingredients
• Fresh parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh flavor even though its totally optional

Instructions

Preheat and prep:

Get your oven to 400°F and grab a 9x13 baking dish while you start the beef

Brown the beef:

Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat breaking it up with a spoon until its browned all the way through then drain any excess fat

Add aromatics:

Toss in the chopped onion and garlic and sauté for about 4 minutes until theyre softened and smell amazing

Mix in vegetables:

Stir in the frozen mixed vegetables and cook for 2 minutes just to take the raw edge off

Make it creamy:

Pour in the cream of mushroom soup and milk then stir until everything is well combined and heated through

Season and add cheese:

Add the salt pepper and paprika then remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese

Spread the base:

Transfer the beef mixture to your baking dish and spread it evenly across the bottom

Top with tots:

Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top like little golden pillows

Bake until golden:

Bake for 30 minutes then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and bake 5 to 10 more minutes until the tots are crispy and the cheese is bubbly

Garnish and serve:

Sprinkle with fresh parsley if youre feeling fancy and serve hot while everyone gathers around the pan

Save

This casserole has become my go to for potlucks and new parents because it feeds a crowd and travels so well. Last year I brought it to a Super Bowl party and honestly people were more excited about it than the actual game.

Make It Your Own

Ground turkey works beautifully if you want something lighter and I love adding sliced mushrooms when they need to be used up. Sometimes I throw in a can of diced green chilies for a little kick that surprises everyone.

Get Ahead

You can absolutely assemble this the night before and keep it covered in the fridge. Just add 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time since it will be cold going into the oven. The leftovers reheat surprisingly well too.

Serve It Up

A simple green salad with vinaigrette cuts through the richness nicely. I also like to put out hot sauce and pickles for people who want to customize their portion.

• Crisp steamed green beans make a great side dish
• Cornbread or dinner rolls help soak up the creamy filling
• Cranberry juice or apple cider pair surprisingly well

Save

Theres something so satisfying about a dish that makes people happy without requiring any fancy techniques or hard to find ingredients. This is the kind of recipe that becomes a family tradition.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.

→ Can I freeze this casserole?

You can freeze the assembled, unbaked casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.

→ What vegetables work best in this dish?

Frozen mixed vegetables are traditional, but fresh or frozen corn, green beans, diced bell peppers, or sliced mushrooms all work wonderfully.

→ How do I know when it's done?

The tater tots should be golden brown and crispy, and the cheese should be melted and bubbly. The filling should be hot throughout.

→ Can I use different meat?

Ground turkey, chicken, or even sausage make excellent substitutes. Adjust cooking time as needed to ensure the meat is fully cooked.

→ What should I serve with this?

A simple green salad or steamed vegetables balance the richness. The dish is filling enough to stand alone as a complete meal.