Comforting Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe for Busy Families

Comfort food reaches new heights with this cheesy tater tot casserole that promises pure deliciousness.

Crispy golden tots nestle atop a savory layer of seasoned ground beef and melted cheese.

Weeknight dinners demand something simple yet satisfying, and this recipe delivers perfectly.

Classic ingredients combine to create a crowd-pleasing dish you cannot resist.

Hearty and filling, the casserole brings warmth to any table with its rich, melty goodness.

Families will devour every single bite of this irresistible meal.

Dive into this ultimate comfort classic that guarantees smiles and clean plates.

Tater Tot Casserole That’s Crispy, Cheesy, and Crowd-Pleasing

• Quick Family Pleaser: Effortlessly creates a comforting meal that kids and adults will devour in minutes.
• Minimal Prep Required: Combines simple ingredients with frozen tater tots for a hassle-free dinner solution that takes under 45 minutes from start to finish.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Uses affordable ground beef and pantry staples to make a hearty casserole that feeds a crowd without breaking the bank.
• One-Pan Convenience: Allows easy preparation and cleanup with a single baking dish, making weeknight cooking stress-free for busy families.

What You Need For Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole

• Ground Beef: Hearty base for the casserole, provides rich flavor and protein.
• Onion: Adds depth and aromatic sweetness to the meat mixture.

• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Delivers bold, tangy flavor and creamy melting quality. Choose a high-quality cheese for best results.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Creates a smooth, creamy sauce that binds the casserole together.

• Seasoned Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile of the dish. Use sparingly for balanced seasoning.
• Frozen Tater Tots: Crispy potato topping that adds texture and classic comfort food appeal. Select a brand with consistent size and golden-brown potential.

Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole How-To

Step 1: Brown Savory Meat

Cook ground beef and chopped onions in a large skillet over medium heat.

Sizzle the meat until it turns a rich brown color and onions become translucent.

Carefully drain away any excess fat from the pan.

Step 2: Season Meat Mixture

Sprinkle seasoned salt into the meat mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute the flavors evenly throughout.

Step 3: Create Base Layer

Spread the seasoned meat mixture smoothly across the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, ensuring an even surface.

Step 4: Add Cheese Blanket

Generously scatter sharp cheddar cheese over the meat layer, creating a delicious cheesy foundation.

Step 5: Pour Creamy Sauce

Spread cream of chicken soup across the cheese layer, creating a rich and creamy texture.

Step 6: Arrange Crispy Potato Bites

Carefully place frozen potato bites in a single layer on top of the sauce, covering the entire surface.

Step 7: Final Seasoning

Sprinkle the remaining seasoned salt over the potato bites to enhance the overall flavor.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F.

Bake for 30-35 minutes until the potato bites turn golden brown and crispy.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and make cutting easier.

Pro Ideas for Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole

• Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack, gruyere, or monterey jack to add unique flavor profiles and personalize the casserole.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives for lighter or vegetarian versions of the dish.
• Reduce seasoned salt quantity or use low-sodium alternatives to make the recipe more heart-friendly and diet-conscious.
• Mix in additional vegetables like diced bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms into the beef layer for extra nutrition and texture.
• Assemble the casserole in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve, making meal planning easier and more convenient.

Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole – Quick Guide to Reheat and Enjoy

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer casserole to freezer-safe container, seal tightly, and freeze up to 2 months for future enjoyment.
• Warm refrigerated portions at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out and maintain crispy tater tots.
• Heat individual servings on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.

Side Suggestions for Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole

• Pair Perfectly with Crisp Red Wine: Select a light-bodied Pinot Noir to complement the rich, cheesy beef flavors without overwhelming the dish's hearty profile.
• Refreshing Salad Sidekick: Create a tangy mixed green salad with vinaigrette dressing to cut through the casserole's heavy texture and provide a fresh, zesty contrast.
• Beer Buddy Pairing: Choose a cold, hoppy American pale ale that balances the casserole's richness with its crisp and slightly bitter undertones, enhancing the overall meal experience.
• Cooling Veggie Companion: Serve roasted green beans or steamed broccoli with a sprinkle of garlic to add nutritional balance and a lighter element to the meat-heavy main course.

Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe Ways to Customize

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace ground beef with crumbled plant-based meat or black beans for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free cream of chicken soup and verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Sodium Option: Substitute regular seasoned salt with a salt-free herb blend and choose low-sodium cream of chicken soup.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use dairy-free cheese substitute and coconut-based cream of chicken soup to accommodate lactose-intolerant individuals.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of meat instead of ground beef?

You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or even vegetarian meat alternatives for a different flavor profile.

• Is it necessary to drain the fat after cooking the ground beef?

Yes, draining excess fat helps prevent the casserole from becoming too greasy and ensures a better texture.

• Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.

• What can I serve as a side dish with this casserole?

A simple green salad or steamed vegetables work great as side dishes to balance the richness of the casserole.

Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

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4.9 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets convenience in this mouthwatering Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole, blending hearty ground beef, creamy cheese, and crispy potato gems. Crowd-pleasing layers promise a delicious meal you’ll want to savor again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef
• 0.5 pound (227 grams) frozen tater tots
• 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) sharp cheddar cheese

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 0.25 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 0.25 teaspoon seasoned salt

Canned Ingredient:

• 1 (10 ounce) can of cream of chicken soup

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F, creating an ideal cooking environment for the casserole.
2. Sauté ground beef and chopped onions in a skillet, cooking until the meat browns completely and onions become translucent, ensuring all raw meat is thoroughly cooked.
3. Eliminate excess grease from the meat mixture by carefully draining any accumulated fat.
4. Enhance the beef mixture with a measured portion of seasoned salt, stirring to distribute the flavor evenly throughout the meat.
5. Transfer the seasoned meat mixture into a prepared baking dish, spreading it into a uniform layer that covers the entire bottom surface.
6. Create a rich cheese foundation by generously sprinkling sharp cheddar cheese across the meat layer, ensuring complete coverage.
7. Gently spread cream of chicken soup over the cheese layer, creating a creamy binding element for the casserole.
8. Meticulously arrange frozen tater tots across the soup layer, positioning them in a precise single layer that covers the entire surface.
9. Sprinkle the remaining seasoned salt over the tater tots to add a final flavor enhancement.
10. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake until the tater tots transform into a golden, crispy topping, typically requiring 30-35 minutes of cooking time.
11. Once completed, remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest briefly, helping the layers settle and making serving easier.

Notes

• Ensure ground beef is thoroughly browned to enhance food safety and develop deep, rich flavors.
• Use lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess grease and create a lighter casserole texture.
• For gluten-free adaptation, replace cream of chicken soup with homemade cream sauce or gluten-free cream soup alternative.
• Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or mushrooms to boost nutritional value and introduce more complex flavor profiles.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg