Tater Tot Comfort Casserole (Print Page)

Comforting baked dish combining savory beef, vegetables, and crispy tater tots for a hearty meal.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound 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 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
12 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

# Directions:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour and tastes like you've been cooking all day.
  • The crispy tater tots stay golden even after everything bakes together, giving you real texture contrast.
  • You can throw it in the oven and walk away, which means time for a glass of wine or a quick tidy-up.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the ground beef—excess fat will make the final dish greasy instead of creamy.
  • Arrange those tater tots in a single layer; stacked ones stay soft in the middle and never get crispy.
  • The cheese sprinkle at the end is not decorative; it creates that melted golden layer that makes people come back for more.
03 -
  • If your tater tots are browning too fast before the cheese melts, cover the casserole loosely with foil and lower the oven temperature to 375°F.
  • Taste the beef mixture before it goes into the baking dish and season generously—the flavors get quieter once everything bakes together.
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