Looking for a hearty, comforting meal that the whole family will love? Well, you’re in the right place! Today, I’m excited to share with you my go-to recipe for the best Tater Tot Casserole. It’s a classic comfort food dish that’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for quick family dinners or weeknight meals. Plus, it’s a great way to use up some pantry staples. So, let’s dive in and see why this Tater Tot Casserole is a must-try!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare – perfect for busy weeknights
- Loaded with ground beef, cheese, and tater tots for a hearty meal
- Customizable – add your favorite spices or veggies
- Great for leftovers – reheats beautifully
- Family-friendly – kids and adults will love it
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious Tater Tot Casserole:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (12 ounce) can corn (drained)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar (divided)
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots (see note)
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
- Chopped scallions (for serving (optional, to taste))
Full ingredient list with measurements is provided in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make the Recipe
Let’s walk through the steps to make this tasty Tater Tot Casserole:
- Preheat your oven to 375F and move the rack to the top third of the oven.
- Cook the beef and onions in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until browned and the onions are softened (about 7-8 minutes). If there’s excess fat, spoon most of it out.
- Add the garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning to the skillet and cook for about a minute.
- Stir in the sour cream, condensed soup, corn, and about half of the cheddar cheese. Let it heat through for a minute or two.
- Transfer the skillet mixture to a 9×13 casserole dish and smooth it out. If you have a large oven-safe skillet, you can make the casserole entirely in the skillet.
- Top with the remaining cheese and tater tots.
- Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes or until the tater tots are nicely browned and the cheese is hot and bubbly. Serve with chopped scallions and salt & pepper if needed.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
Here are some tips to make this Tater Tot Casserole even better:
- Customize to your taste: Add diced bell peppers, jalapeños, or your favorite spices to give it a personal touch.
- Use different meats: Try ground turkey or ground sausage for a variation.
- Add some crunch: Sprinkle crushed crackers or crispy bacon bits on top of the cheese before adding the tater tots.
- Make it a one-pan meal: If you have a large oven-safe skillet, you can cook the beef mixture and bake the casserole all in one pan.
- Reheat leftovers: This casserole reheats beautifully in the oven or microwave for quick lunches or dinners.
How to Serve
This Tater Tot Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but here are some ideas for sides:
- Green salad: A simple green salad with your favorite dressing makes a light and refreshing contrast to the rich casserole.
- Garlic bread: Because everything is better with garlic bread, right?
- Steamed veggies: Add some steamed broccoli, carrots, or green beans for a balanced meal.
- Coleslaw: A creamy coleslaw provides a nice crunch and cooling contrast.
Make Ahead and Storage
One of the best things about this Tater Tot Casserole is that it can be prepared ahead of time and stored for later. Here’s how:
- Make ahead: You can assemble the casserole up to a day in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it. Just let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.
- Freeze: If you want to freeze the casserole, assemble it without baking, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw it overnight in the fridge and bake as instructed.
- Reheat: Leftovers can be reheated in the oven at 350F for about 20-25 minutes, or in the microwave for a few minutes until hot and bubbly.
And there you have it – the ultimate Tater Tot Casserole recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite! It’s perfect for quick family dinners, weeknight meals, or even special occasions. Don’t forget to check out some of our other easy casserole recipes like How to Make Hobo Casserole Ground Beef – Easy Recipe and How to Make the Best Spaghetti Casserole for more delicious meal ideas. Happy cooking!
Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (12 ounce) can corn drained
- 2 cups shredded cheddar divided
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Chopped scallions for serving (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F. Brown ground beef and onions in a skillet, breaking up the beef, until browned and onions are soft (7-8 minutes).
- Add garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning to the skillet and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in sour cream, condensed soup, corn, and 1/2 cup cheddar. Heat through for 1-2 minutes.
- Transfer mixture to a 9x13 casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese and tater tots.
- Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes until tater tots are browned and cheese is bubbly.
- Serve hot with chopped scallions and adjust seasoning as needed.
