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Crispy Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef Easy Homemade Comfort Meal

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A quick and easy weeknight casserole featuring crispy tater tots layered over savory ground beef and cheese, perfect for a cozy and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20)
  • 32 oz (900 g) frozen tater tots
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (10.5 oz/300 g) cream of mushroom soup
  • 2 cups (200 g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (optional, e.g., peas, carrots, corn)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook about 6-8 minutes until no longer pink. Drain excess fat if desired.
  3. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook for 4-5 minutes until onions are translucent and fragrant.
  4. Stir in salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and Worcestershire sauce. If using frozen veggies, toss them in now and cook until warmed through, about 3 minutes.
  5. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream until smooth.
  6. Pour the soup mixture into the skillet with the beef and veggies. Stir to combine thoroughly. Remove from heat.
  7. Spread the beef mixture evenly in the bottom of your prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
  8. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
  9. Sprinkle the rest of the cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots.
  10. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is bubbly.
  11. Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If tater tots brown too fast, loosely cover casserole with foil halfway through baking. For extra crispiness, broil for 2 minutes at the end, watching closely. Drain excess beef fat to avoid greasiness. Let casserole rest 5 minutes before serving for easier slicing. Use a mix of sharp and mild cheddar for deeper flavor. Assemble casserole night before and refrigerate for convenience; add 5-10 minutes to baking time if baking from cold.

Nutrition

Keywords: tater tot casserole, ground beef casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, weeknight meal, cheesy casserole, crispy tater tots

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/crispy-tater-tot-casserole-with-ground-beef-easy-homemade-comfort-meal/