Dinner

Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

ByHugo Harnd December 3, 2025December 3, 2025

Introduction

Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for busy weeknights. With layers of savory ground beef, creamy soup, vegetables, and crispy tater tots, it’s both easy to make and satisfying for the whole family.

A close-up of a white plate showing a layered casserole dish. The bottom layer is mashed potatoes, white and slightly fluffy with rough texture. Above it, there is a mix of cooked ground beef, brown and crumbly, and diced vegetables including orange carrots, green beans, and yellow corn kernels, all soft and mixed in a creamy sauce. The top layer is a golden-brown baked cheese with some melted spots and black pepper sprinkled over it. The dish looks hearty and warm, with a fork placed on the edge of the plate and a blue textured cloth in the background on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef (browned and drained)
1 ounce onion soup mix
1 can cream of onion soup (10.5 ounces)
10 ounces frozen mixed vegetables
2 cups Colby Jack or cheddar cheese (shredded)
16 ounces frozen tater tots

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350° F.
Step 2: Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until no pink remains, then drain off any grease.
Step 3: Stir in the onion soup mix and cream of onion soup until well combined with the beef.
Step 4: Spread the beef mixture evenly in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan.
Step 5: Layer the frozen mixed vegetables evenly over the beef mixture, then sprinkle the shredded cheese on top.
Step 6: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
Step 7: Cover the pan with foil and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until heated through and the tater tots are cooked.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to brown the tater tots on top.
Use fresh vegetables like peas and carrots if you prefer, adjusting the quantity as needed.
Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Mix in a little garlic powder or Worcestershire sauce to the beef mixture for additional flavor.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350° F until warmed through, or use a microwave for quicker reheating, though the tater tots may lose crispness.

How to Serve

A white square baking dish filled with a single thick layer of golden-brown tater tots, evenly cooked and sprinkled lightly with black pepper. The tater tots have a crispy texture on the outside, showing slight browning with a starchy surface pattern. The dish sits on a white marbled textured surface with a blue and white cloth partially visible on the side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole and refrigerate it for a few hours before baking. Just add a little extra baking time if it’s cold from the fridge.

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen tater tots?

While you can, frozen tater tots provide a convenient crispy topping. If using fresh potatoes, consider shredding and par-cooking them before topping, but the texture will differ from traditional tater tots.

Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 111 reviews

Author: Hugo
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

This classic Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting, easy-to-make dish featuring savory ground beef, creamy onion soup, colorful mixed vegetables, melted cheddar cheese, and crispy tater tots baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a family dinner, this hearty casserole combines simple ingredients for a satisfying and delicious meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 pound ground beef (browned and drained)
1 ounce onion soup mix
1 can cream of onion soup (10.5 ounces)
10 ounces frozen mixed vegetables
2 cups shredded Colby Jack or cheddar cheese
16 ounces frozen tater tots

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the casserole.
Brown the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until it is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease to keep the casserole from becoming too oily.
Mix the Base: Stir in the onion soup mix and cream of onion soup with the browned beef until fully combined. This mixture will form the flavorful base of your casserole.
Prepare the Baking Dish: Spread the beef and soup mixture evenly across the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan to create a uniform layer.
Add Toppings: Evenly scatter the frozen mixed vegetables over the beef mixture, then sprinkle the shredded cheese on top. Finally, arrange the frozen tater tots on the very top layer, covering the cheese and vegetables.
Bake Covered: Cover the baking pan tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam and moisture, then bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the casserole is heated through and tater tots are crispy and golden brown.

Notes

To save time, you can prepare the ground beef mixture ahead of time and refrigerate before assembling the casserole.
Feel free to substitute the mixed vegetables with your favorites like peas and carrots or green beans depending on availability.
For a crispier top, remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
This casserole freezes well. Bake fully, then cool and freeze in portions for easy future meals.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Tater Tot Casserole, ground beef casserole, easy dinner recipes, comfort food, baked casserole

Hugo Harnd

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