Beef Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
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All you need is 5 ingredients to make this easy beef tater tot casserole recipe. Thanks to the cream of mushroom soup and milk, it’s creamy, rich, and full of flavor in every bite. If you love some tater tots, you and your family won’t be able to get enough!
This beef tater tot casserole recipe is one of those recipes that I had to beg my mother to try. She said it just didn’t sound good. I mean, what doesn’t sound good about beef and onion topped with tater tots and cooked in a creamy mushroom sauce?
So I made a big batch and showed up at her house. She took one bite and her eyes got big as dollars. “This really is good, what did you say was in it?”. It has since become one of her all-time favorite meals. I hope you get to try it soon. If there were such a thing as a recipe being too simple, this just might be it. But it’s oooh so good and my family loves it.
All you have to do is brown the ground beef and onion, and then add it to a casserole dish along with the tater tots, cream of mushroom soup, and milk. In 30 minutes, your easy tater tot casserole will be ready to dig into. Told ya it was too simple!
Another easy casserole I love to make as a on busy weeknights is my taco tater tot casserole or Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Enjoy!
Recipe Ingredients
- Ground beef (already browned, with onion in it if you like)
- Cream of mushroom soup (can use fat-free)
- Frozen tater tots
- Milk
Helpful Kitchen Tools
How to Make A Beef Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Brown your beef first
I like to brown my beef ahead of time and keep it in the freezer to make meals like this one a breeze to put together. Use one of these ground beef separators if you’ve got one. If you don’t, promise me you’ll make your life easier by getting one! They’re super cheap and such a lifesaver.
Here I am browning my meat with some onions to give it a bit of flavor. Drain off the grease before moving on to the next step.
I have browned as much as 30 pounds of ground beef in one day and then store it in zipper seal baggies. I generally put about a cup in each bag and then get out one or two bags depending on how much I decide I need.
Place this ground beef mixture in the bottom of your 8×8 baking dish.
Cover in the frozen tater tots.
Pour your cream of mushroom soup into a medium bowl and add about a cup and a half of milk to it.
Stir well.
It will still be lumpy but as long as you put forth the effort to give it a good stir it’ll be fine.
Pour your soup over all of your beef tater tot casserole.
Cover with foil and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.
A lot of recipes don’t have you covering your casserole and I used to do mine that way but I’ve found it is even better if you cover it up a bit. If you’d like your tater tots nice and golden brown, uncover for the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Enjoy.
If you have any leftovers, this tastes even better reheated!
Do you make tater tot casserole for your family? I’d love to hear about it!
How To Store Tater Tot Casserole
Store casserole leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat quickly in the oven to make crispy tater tots again. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating in the oven.
Additional Tips for Perfecting Beef Tater Tot Casserole
- Customize with Vegetables: Add a layer of canned vegetables like green beans, corn, peas, or carrots for extra texture and flavor.
- Cheesy Variation: Top the beef with a layer of shredded cheddar cheese or parmesan for a cheesy twist on this classic dish.
- Alternative Proteins: Swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or pork if desired.
- Flavor Enhancers: Boost the flavor of the meat mixture by adding 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and 2 minced garlic cloves.
- Serve with Sides: Complement your casserole with a simple side salad or warm dinner rolls for a complete meal.
- Storage and Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat quickly in the oven to maintain crispy tater tots. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months, thawing overnight before reheating.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I use cream of chicken soup instead of mushroom soup?
Yes, you can substitute cream of chicken soup for a slightly different flavor profile.
Can I make this casserole in advance?
Absolutely. You can assemble the casserole and refrigerate it, then bake it when you’re ready to serve. Adjust the baking time accordingly.
What can I serve with this casserole?
Consider pairing it with a fresh salad, steamed vegetables, or a side of garlic bread for a well-rounded meal.
Can I add extra toppings to the casserole?
Absolutely! Chopped green onions, crispy bacon bits, or even a sprinkle of grated cheese can be delightful additions.
Is it necessary to cover the casserole with foil?
Covering the casserole helps to retain moisture and prevent the tater tots from drying out. It’s recommended for best results.
Recipe Notes
- You can definitely substitute the cream of mushroom soup for cream of chicken soup if you prefer. Here’s my recipe for homemade cream of chicken soup.
- If you want to add a couple more layers, I recommend topping the beef with a layer of canned vegetables, like green beans, corn, peas, or carrots. You can then add another layer: a cup of shredded cheddar cheese or parmesan cheese for a cheesy tater tot casserole.
- Substitute the ground beef for ground turkey or ground pork.
- Add more flavor to the meat mixture by adding 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and 2 minced garlic cloves.
- Serve your tater tot casserole with a simple side salad or some warm dinner rolls on a cool night.
You may also enjoy these other easy casserole recipes:
- Country Casserole
- Deep Dish Pizza Casserole
- Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe (Easy and Delicious)
- Shipwreck Casserole ARRR!
- Sloppy Joe Casserole Recipe
- Crunchy Beef Casserole
Helpful Kitchen Tools:
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped optional
- 1 package frozen tater tots about 1 pound
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup can use fat-free
- 1 cup milk
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef and onion together until done, and drain off any grease (I brown my beef ahead of time and store it in the freezer to make this quicker).2 pounds ground beef, 1 small onion, chopped
- Place the ground beef mixture in the bottom of an 8x8 baking dish. Top with the frozen tater tots.1 package frozen tater tots
- In a small bowl, stir together the cream of mushroom soup and milk. Pour this over the tater tots.1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup milk
- Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
I think I am like your mom. This doesn’t sound good, but you have convinced me to try it! I love your website and the recipes, and whenever I make a southern plate dish my family loves it. So I will give it a whirl!
I can’t wait to buy one of your cookbooks, Christy!! Your recipes sound so delicious. I like how you simplify everything, when possible! 🙂 The suggestion about browning ground beef in advance and freezing in bags is GENIUS!! So many recipes call for 1 lb. or 2 lbs. of browned ground beef, that would save sooo much time!! Thanks for your emails, I look forward to them daily! God bless!
Being from the Southwest, we always put a spicy spin on the Tater Tot casserole by adding garlic and onion powder in with the ground beef and onions. We also add chopped roasted green chili to taste. I’ve been know to use cheddar cheese soup, too, instead of or with the mushroom soup. My sons often heat the encores (we never have leftovers in our house-it’s always so good, we have encores!) and put them in a warmed flour tortilla for a quick meal!
Tater tots – not just for little tots. Big tots love ’em too.
I love all the different variations!
I make a tater tot casserole using 1 can of green beans, mixed with the cooked ground beef, 1/2 – 3/4 c of cheese whiz and cream of mushroom soup. Top with a package of frozen tots, bake for approximately 30 minutes, then add 1 package of real bacon bits and grated cheese. Put under the broiler for 5 – 7 minutes, to melt the cheese and crisp up the bacon and tots.
… speaking of going North 🙂