Description
This comforting Tater Tot Casserole features a savory ground beef mixture combined with creamy condensed mushroom soup, topped with crispy tater tots and melted Cheddar cheese. Perfect for a hearty family meal, this casserole is baked to golden perfection, delivering a satisfying blend of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- Salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Topping
- 1 (16 ounce) package frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, cooking and stirring until it is completely browned and crumbly, which should take about 7 to 10 minutes. This step ensures the beef is fully cooked and ready to combine.
- Add Soup and Seasonings: Stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup into the cooked ground beef mixture. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, mixing well to create a flavorful base for the casserole.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the beef mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Next, arrange the frozen tater tots evenly on top of the beef layer. Finally, sprinkle the shredded Cheddar cheese over the tater tots.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and heated through, and the cheese has melted and slightly browned.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding diced onions or garlic to the ground beef while cooking.
- You can substitute the cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or celery soup for a different taste.
- Use a cheese blend or Monterey Jack for a milder flavor.
- If you prefer crispier tater tots, increase baking time by a few minutes and broil briefly at the end, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; adjust the cooking time accordingly.
