Tater tot casserole is a comforting delicious dish that is a combination of savory ground beef and a creamy, cheesy filling, topped off with crispy tater tots, melted cheese, and bacon bits.
It’s one of those easy dinner recipes that can be thrown together in a short amount of time and everyone loves it!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8 to 10
Prep Level: Beginner +
Reasons I Love This Recipe
Simplicity: This easy casserole recipe has basic ingredients and instructions. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or beginner cooks.
Cheesy Goodness: The melted cheese adds richness and yummy flavor.
Creamy Texture: The mixture of sour cream and condensed milk, give this dish a delicious texture.
Crowd-pleaser: Whether it’s for a family dinner or a potluck, this casserole is a hit with both kids and adults alike.
Leftover-friendly: The casserole reheats well, so you can enjoy any leftovers for a few days.
Simple Ingredients
What You Will Need
- Butter
- Onion – chopped
- Ground beef
- Worcestershire sauce
- Milk
- Sour cream
- Cream of chicken soup
- Sharp cheddar cheese – shredded
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Non-stick cooking spray
- Frozen tater tots
- Bacon – cooked and crumbled
Equipment and Helpful Tools
- Casserole dish
- Large skillet
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Cutting board
- Large cutting knife
- Whisk
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Large slotted spoon or strainer
- Aluminum foil
- Oven mitts
Key Ingredients
Tater tots – These bite size cylinders of shredded, deep fried potatoes create a crispy golden brown topping. You can use your favorite brand that is found in the frozen food section of your local grocery store.
Ground meat – The most popular choice for this classic tater tot casserole usually is ground beef but you can substitute ground chicken or ground turkey.
Creamy sauce – A variety of condensed soups can be used in this delicious recipe. Cream of chicken is a favorite although cream of celery and cream of mushroom soup are often used. If you really want the casserole to be extra cheesy, try using cheese soup!
Shredded cheese – Cheddar cheese is most commonly used but feel free to mix in other cheese varieties like Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or Swiss for a some extra flavor.
Additional Ingredients
Milk -whole milk is my preference for creaminess. Low fat 2% is fine, but I wouldn’t go below that.
Sour cream – This also helps with the creaminess and adds a little flavor and tang.
Worcestershire sauce – This just gives it a little extra zing, which I love in ground beef! It’s optional, but it really adds a lot of flavor to it.
Chopped onion – I use white onion but you could also use yellow onion.
Garlic powder – Garlic salt can be used. If you do use it, omit adding additional salt.
Step By Step Easy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook chopped onion. (see Recipe Tip)
- Add the ground beef and cook until done.
- Add Worcestershire sauce to the cooked ground beef and simmer for a couple minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream, milk, soup, most of the shredded cheese, and dry seasonings together.
- Drain the excess grease and add the ground beef mixture.
- Throughly blend.
- Pour mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Arrange tater tots in a single layer on top of the casserole and bake uncovered.
- Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar and bacon bits (see Recipe Tip) over the crispy tater tots.
- Bake until the cheese is bubbly.
See the recipe card below for complete measurements and cooking times.
Variations Of Creamy Tater Tot Casserole
Vegetarian alternatives – Replace the ground beef with chopped tofu, black beans or a medley of sauteed vegetables like bell peppers, corn, and mushrooms.
Mexican Tater Tot Casserole – Switch up the dish by adding Tex Mex flavors of cumin, green chiles, and a Mexican blend cheese.
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole – Transform this casserole dish into a morning meal by adding eggs and using breakfast sausage or ham.
Recipe Tip
To have a quicker prep time, you can buy pre-chopped onions and cooked bacon at most groceries stores.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Store Tater Tot Casserole?
To store Tater Tot Casserole, cover the baking dish with aluminum or place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to five days.
How Do You Reheat A Tater Tot Casserole?
To reheat the casserole, let it come to room temperature. Place in a 350° degrees preheated oven. Warm the tater tot casserole for 20 to 30 minutes.
You can also heat any leftovers in the microwave for 1-2 minutes per serving. Note that if you use the microwave, the tater tots won’t be crispy.
What Types Of Vegetables Do You Serve With Tater Tot Casserole?
Try serving roasted asparagus, sauteed spinach, Brussels Sprouts, or a side salad with your casserole for a complete meal.
Why Is My Tater Tot Casserole Soggy?
There could be a few reasons your casserole is soggy. Often, the main reason is excess moisture due to: not cooking the onions fully, too much ice on the frozen tater tots, or not cooking the casserole long enough.
Looking for more great casseroles to try?
Here are some more of my casserole recipes that are family favorites!
- Hash Brown Casserole With Cream Of Chicken Soup And Sour Cream – A great breakfast casserole!
Easy Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole With Sour Cream
Tater tot casserole is a comforting delicious dish that is a combination of savory ground beef and a creamy, cheesy filling, topped off with crispy tater tots, melted cheese, and bacon bits.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/3 cup white onion – chopped
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup – 10.5 ounces
- 2.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Non-stick cooking spray
- 24 ounces frozen tater tots (or enough to cover the top of the dish)
- 1/3 cup cooked crumbled bacon (about 5 slices)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Lightly spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook onion 2 to 3 minutes or until softened.
- Add the ground beef and cook until done. (No longer pink)
- Add Worcestershire sauce to the cooked ground beef and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream, milk, soup, 2 cups of the shredded cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper together.
- Drain any excess grease from the cooked beef by using a large slotted spoon or strainer.
- Add the ground beef mixture to bowl and throughly blend.
- Pour mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Arrange the tater tots in a single layer on top of the creamy mixture.
- Bake uncovered in the oven at 350 degrees F for approximately 35-40 minutes.
- Use oven mitts and take the hot dish out of the oven. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar and bacon bits over the crispy tater tots.
- Place the casserole back in the oven and bake for another 10 -15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly.
- Use oven mitts to remove pan from the oven.
- Let stand for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Equipment Needed and Helpful Tools
9 x 13 inch casserole baking dish
Large skillet
Large mixing bowl
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Cutting board
Large cutting knife
Whisk
Spatula or wooden spoon
Large slotted spoon or strainer
Aluminum foil
Oven mitts
Key Ingredients:
Tater tots – These bite size cylinders of shredded, deep fried potatoes create a crispy golden brown topping. You can use your favorite brand that is found in the frozen food section of your local grocery store.
Ground meat – The most popular choice for this classic tater tot casserole usually is ground beef but you can substitute ground chicken or ground turkey.
Cream soup – A variety of condensed soups can be used in this delicious recipe. Cream of chicken is a favorite although cream of celery and cream of mushroom soup are often used. If you really want the casserole to be extra cheesy, try using cheese soup!
Shredded cheese – Cheddar cheese is most commonly used but feel free to mix in other cheese varieties like Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or Swiss for a some extra flavor.
Additional Ingredients:
Milk -whole milk is my preference for creaminess. Low fat 2% is fine, but I wouldn’t go below that.
Sour cream – This also helps with the creaminess and adds a little flavor and tang.
Worcestershire sauce – This just gives it a little extra zing, which I love in ground beef. It’s optional, but it really adds a lot of flavor to it.
Chopped onion – I use white onion but you could also use yellow onion.
Garlic powder – Garlic salt can be used. If you do use it, omit adding additional salt.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 632Total Fat: 43gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 132mgSodium: 1131mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 36g
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