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Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

This cozy casserole layers creamy, savory beef under a crown of crispy tater tots and melty cheddar. Weeknight-friendly and crowd-pleasing.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8

Ingredients
 

Main Ingredients

  • 1.25 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.75 cup diced onion
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1.5 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.75 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup from one can
  • 0.5 cup sour cream
  • 0.5 cup milk whole or 2%
  • 2.25 cup shredded cheddar cheese divided
  • 28 oz frozen tater tots
  • 0.25 cup sliced green onions for garnish

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Heat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Brown the ground beef, breaking it up, until no longer pink, 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  • Stir in onion and garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
  • Season with Worcestershire, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook 30 seconds, stirring.
  • Whisk soup, sour cream, and milk in a bowl, then pour into the skillet and stir until creamy.
  • Fold in 1.5 cups cheddar. Spread the beef mixture in the prepared dish.
  • Arrange tater tots in a snug, even layer on top.
  • Bake until the tots are deep golden and the edges bubble, 30–35 minutes.
  • Scatter remaining cheddar over the tots. Bake 5 minutes to melt. Rest 5 minutes, then garnish with green onions.

Notes

Variation: Swap ground turkey for beef, or mix in 1 cup thawed peas and carrots under the tots. Prefer a different soup? Cream of chicken works too.
Serving/Storage: Serve with a crisp salad or steamed greens. Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days; reheat in the oven or air fryer to re-crisp the tots. Assemble ahead and chill up to 24 hours before baking.
This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.