Description
This Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish featuring a savory mix of ground beef, onions, garlic, creamy mushroom soup, corn, and cheddar cheese, all topped with crispy baked tater tots. Perfect for a family dinner, it’s easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (12 ounce) can corn, drained
Lumps and Sauces
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
Cheese and Toppings
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped scallions, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F and position the oven rack in the top third to ensure even baking and browning of the tater tots.
- Cook Beef and Onions: In a skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and chopped onions. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up the beef, until the meat is browned and onions are softened, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning. Cook for about one minute to release the aromatic flavors.
- Make the Creamy Mixture: Lower the heat to medium and mix in the sour cream, condensed cream of mushroom soup, drained corn, and half a cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir well and heat through for one to two minutes until combined.
- Assemble in Casserole Dish: Transfer the mixture into a 9×13-inch casserole dish, spreading it out evenly. You can also assemble directly in a large oven-safe skillet if preferred.
- Add Cheese and Tater Tots: Sprinkle the remaining 1.5 cups of cheddar cheese evenly over the mixture, and then arrange the frozen tater tots on top in a single layer.
- Bake: Place the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven. Bake for 45 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from oven and optionally garnish with chopped scallions. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Notes
- You can use a large oven-safe skillet for assembling and baking the casserole to reduce cleanup.
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the casserole for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Feel free to swap the cream of mushroom soup for cream of celery or cream of chicken for a different flavor profile.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- To make this dish gluten-free, ensure the cream of mushroom soup used is certified gluten-free.
