Description
A hearty and comforting casserole loaded with juicy ground beef, creamy layers of flavor-packed sauce, and crispy tater tots. Perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (lean is ideal but any works!)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bag frozen tater tots (about 32 oz)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup (10.5 oz)
- ½ cup milk (whole milk preferred for creaminess)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, and corn)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a light layer of oil.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula as you cook. Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup and milk until smooth.
- Spread the cooked ground beef mixture evenly in the bottom of the greased baking dish. Scatter the frozen mixed vegetables on top of the beef. Pour the soup mixture over the vegetables, spreading it evenly.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the casserole.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the tater tots.
- Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
- Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
[‘Drain excess grease after browning the ground beef to avoid a greasy casserole.’, ‘Use frozen tater tots for better texture and crispiness.’, ‘Spread ingredients evenly in the casserole dish for balanced flavors.’, ‘Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded cheese.’, ‘Customize the seasoning with paprika or garlic powder for extra flavor.’]
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 400
- Fat: 25
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Protein: 18
Keywords: tater tot casserole, ground beef casserole, comfort food, easy dinner recipe, family meal, kid-friendly recipe