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This classic comfort food has a super creamy filling loaded with lots of beef, vegetables, cheese, and is topped off with golden, crispy tater tots. It’s cheap, it’s easy, it’s Tater Tot Casserole.
Easy Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole
Let’s take a moment to appreciate how this is the best weeknight dinner (especially for busy nights). This recipe takes less than one hour- and 30 minutes of that is in the oven! It also has the three main food groups: protein, vegetables, and cheese- you won’t even need a side dish!
What makes this recipe truly great is the simple ingredients. No chopping, no peeling, no shredding, just brown the beef and mix it up.
Love easy and cheesy like I do?? Check out Cheesy Hash Browns and Mom’s Lasagna!
Where Did Tator Tot Casserole Originate?
Like all things great, this casserole, or hotdish, started in the Midwest- Minnesota to be exact. Dating back to the 1930s, this dish started out as a starch, meat, and vegetables (macaroni, hamburger, and peas). It has since evolved into something much greater- a memorable dish that’s passed down for generations.
Check out these other great Midwestern recipes like Maid-Rites, Buckeyes, and Beer Cheese Dip!
Ingredients Needed for Tater Tot Hotdish
For this recipe, you’ll need these super simple and easy to find ingredients:
- Hamburger
- Tater tots
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Corn
- Green beans
- Minced onion
- Salt & pepper
About the Corn & Green Beans
The corn and green beans should be fully thawed, otherwise, it can throw off the bake time and you’ll be left with still-crunchy veggies. Bleh! Thaw them in the microwave (if the package is microwave safe) or put the bags in your refrigerator overnight. Oftentimes, I’ll put the veggies in a strainer and run them under warm water for a few minutes. Does the trick every time!
How to Make the Best Tater Tot Casserole
Begin this recipe by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cook the ground beef. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the beef, corn, green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and seasonings.
Some recipes call for layering the beef, vegetables, and soup. By combining all of the ingredients, you’re left with a more flavorful, creamier casserole.
Spread this mixture into a 9 x 13, or 3-quart, baking dish. Cover with shredded cheese and arrange the tater tots on top. Pack on as many tater tots as you can- we can’t skimp on the golden, crispy tots!
Pro Tip: the tater tots must go on top of the cheese, so they get nice and crispy! This also helps the cheese stay extra gooey.
How Long to Bake Tater Tot Casserole
Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes, or until hot and the tater tots are crispy. The tater tot packaging may have a different oven temperature- don’t be tempted to increase the heat! We want the inside to heat up well while crisping up the tater tots.
If the tater tots do not crisp up enough, broil the casserole. Do not leave it unattended! I set my timer for 1 minute and check it often. I’ve over-broiled a few things and they did not turn out pretty!
Substitutions
- To make this cheesy casserole even cheesier, swap out one or both cans of cream of mushroom soup with condensed cheddar cheese soup.
- Cream of celery, cream of chicken, or cream of bacon (if you can find it) would make great alternatives.
- Canned corn and green beans can be substituted for frozen corn and green beans.
- Shredded Colby Jack is also great for this dish.
Storage
Refrigerator: Cover with foil or store in an airtight container for up to five days.
Freezer: Freeze in an airtight container for up to three months.
Thaw: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: Get your portion, cover, and microwave until hot.
Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground hamburger
- 2 10.5-oz cream of mushroom soup
- 1 tsp minced onion
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 12 oz corn thawed
- 12 oz green beans thawed
- 16 oz shredded cheddar cheese
- 32 oz frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° F.
- Brown the beef. Combine beef, corn, green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and seasonings.
- Spread in a 9 x 13 (3-quart) baking dish.
- Cover with shredded cheese and arrange tater tots on top.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until hot and tater tots are crispy.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients used and cooking methods.
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