Tater Tot Casserole with Beef (Printer Version)

Hearty beef and vegetable casserole topped with crispy golden potato tots and melted cheddar cheese.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)

→ Dairy & Sauces

05 - 1 can (10.5 ounce) condensed cream of mushroom soup
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk
07 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

→ Topping

08 - 1 bag (32 ounce) frozen tater tots

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
12 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3–4 minutes, until softened.
04 - Stir in the frozen mixed vegetables and cook for 2 minutes.
05 - Add the cream of mushroom soup and milk. Stir until well combined and heated through. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
06 - Remove from heat and mix in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
07 - Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly into a 9x13-inch baking dish.
08 - Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top.
09 - Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
10 - Remove from oven, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the tater tots, and bake for another 5–10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and tater tots are golden brown.
11 - Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in about 15 minutes of active prep time
  • The whole family actually gets excited about dinner
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully for tomorrow's lunch
02 -
  • Drain the beef well after cooking, otherwise you'll end up with a greasy layer on top
  • Let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes before serving, it holds its shape better
  • The tots should be in a single layer, not piled up, or they won't cook through evenly
03 -
  • Sprinkle some extra cheese on the tots during the last 5 minutes for extra golden, bubbly spots
  • If the tots are browning too fast, tent with foil for the remainder of baking time
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