Description
A foolproof, comforting casserole featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom sauce, and a crispy tater tot topping. It’s a simple, hearty meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen plain tater tots
- Optional: 1 cup frozen corn or peas
- Optional: Bacon bits
- Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and diced onion, breaking up the meat. Drain excess grease, leaving about a tablespoon for flavor.
- Stir in garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and milk until smooth.
- Spread the seasoned beef mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Pour the soup mixture over the beef and spread to cover completely.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the sauce.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots on top to cover the surface. Add bacon bits if using.
- Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken.
Notes
Use frozen tater tots, not thawed, to ensure crispiness. Shred your own cheese for better melting. Let the casserole rest before serving to prevent the sauce from running. For a gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free soup and tater tots.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the casserole
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 22
Keywords: ground beef casserole, tater tot casserole, easy dinner, comfort food, weeknight meals, cheesy casserole, family friendly