Description
Hearty tater tot casserole with ground beef delivers comfort food nostalgia from Midwestern kitchens. Rich layers of seasoned beef, crispy potato tots, and melted cheese promise satisfying warmth for hungry families.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Cheese and Dairy:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 ounces/298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
Vegetables and Starch:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 bag (32 ounces/907 grams) frozen tater tots
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F (175°C), ensuring a consistent temperature for even cooking.
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté ground beef with onions until meat is thoroughly browned and vegetables are translucent, carefully draining any accumulated grease.
- Season the beef and onion mixture with salt and pepper, then distribute uniformly across the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Create a smooth layer of cream of mushroom soup directly over the seasoned meat, ensuring complete coverage.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese across the soup layer, creating a rich and melty foundation.
- Meticulously arrange frozen tater tots in a uniform grid pattern, covering the entire cheese and soup surface.
- Transfer the assembled casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, monitoring until tater tots turn golden brown and crisp, with cheese melted and bubbling.
- Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving, which helps the casserole set and makes portioning easier.
- Serve hot, providing a comforting and hearty meal that combines savory beef, creamy soup, melted cheese, and crispy potato tots.
Notes
- Consider using lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content while maintaining rich flavor.
- Swap cream of mushroom soup with a homemade cream sauce for a fresher, less processed alternative.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar or pepper jack to add unique taste dimensions.
- For gluten-free adaptation, use gluten-free cream soup or make a roux-based substitute with cornstarch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg