Julie Clark
Updated:
Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
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Use ground beef and golden mushroom soup in this tater tot casserole recipe. This classic recipe is a family favorite at potlucks and gatherings.
In need of new casseroles for busy nights? This classic Tater Tot Casserole recipe with ground beef is the ultimate in comfort food. I remember my mom making this casserole often when I was young. It had been years since I had it, but when searching my cookbooks for new dinner recipes, I knew I had to introduce my kids to the best tater tot casserole.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Bakes in a small 8×8 casserole dish.
- Uses just one pound of ground beef.
- Cheddar cheese bakes inside and on top.
- Instructions to make this as a freezer meal.
Ingredients
There are only 6 ingredients in this recipe.
- Ground beef. I like to use a lean ground beef. If you’d like, you can use ground chicken or ground turkey as well. Even pork sausage works!
- Onion.
- Garlic. I keep minced garlic in the fridge to quickly add to casseroles. If you don’t have minced garlic, add ½ teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Golden mushroom soup. You’ll find tater tot casserole recipes with all kinds of creamed soup. My mom used golden mushroom, so that’s what we use as well. It gives a unique flavor that is more beef-based rather than creamy.
- Sharp cheddar cheese. Buy a block of cheese and shred it with a cheese grater. This will help your casserole be less greasy.
- Frozen tater tots.
How to Make Tater Tot Casserole
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, onion and garlic. Cook and stir until the beef is no longer pink. Drain off any grease.
- Add the undiluted golden mushroom soup and stir to coat.
- Spray an 8×8 or 9×9” baking pan with cooking spray.
- Pour the ground beef mixture into the baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Layer one cup of shredded cheddar over the ground beef.
- Place tater tots over the top of the cheese, covering the entire top of the casserole.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the tater tots.
- Bake in the oven set at 350º Fahrenheit for 40 minutes or until heated through.
Want to make tater tot casserole without cream of mushroom soup? Try a recipe with a homemade beef gravy.
Recipe Variations
- I accidentally picked up Golden Crispy Crown frozen potatoes rather than tater tots. Any frozen potato works…even french fries.
- Use cream of mushroom or even cream of chicken soup. Any different soup you use will change the flavor slightly.
- I often serve this casserole with green beans on the side, but you can add 1 small can of drained green beans to the filling if you’d like. Or serve your other favorite veggie.
- Add bacon, green peppers, broccoli florets, frozen peas and carrots or mixed frozen vegetables to the cooked ground beef.
- Want the filling creamier? Mix in ½ cup of sour cream to the ground beef mixture. You can also top the casserole with sour cream.
- Try our cheeseburger tater tot casserole.
What to Serve with Tater Tot Casserole
Here are our favorite ways to complete this meal:
- parmesan green beans
- buttery rolls
- applesauce
Freezing Instructions
You can freeze the leftovers of this casserole, but you can also freeze the entire casserole for a quick weeknight meal. To freeze the casserole to bake later:
- Make the casserole, but don’t bake it. Use an aluminum pan so it is easy to wrap.
- Wrap the casserole in plastic wrap, then again in foil.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- When you are ready to serve it, pull it out of the freezer the night before and let it defrost in the fridge overnight.
- Then bake as the recipe below states.
Try our chicken tater tot casserole recipe!
Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Use ground beef and golden mushroom soup in this tater tot casserole recipe. This classic recipe is a family favorite at potlucks and gatherings.
Servings 6
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ¼ cup diced onion
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- 10.5 ounces golden mushroom soup undiluted (1 can)
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
- 10-14 ounces frozen tater tots or golden crispy crowns
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º Fahrenheit.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, onion and garlic. Cook and stir until the beef is no longer pink. Drain off any fat.
- Add the undiluted golden mushroom soup and stir to coat.
- Spray an 8×8 or 9×9” baking pan with cooking spray.
- Add the ground beef mixture to the pan and spread it out evenly.
- Sprinkle one cup of shredded cheddar over the ground beef.
- Place tater tots over the top of the cheese, covering the entire top of the casserole.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the tater tots.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until heated through.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
The calories shown are based on the recipe serving 6, with 1 serving being ⅙ of the casserole. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**
Nutrition
Calories: 364kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 780mg | Potassium: 469mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 285IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 223mg | Iron: 3mg
Finally, Old fashion Mom’s recipe! I love classic recipes!
Love it in a 8 x 8 pan!!!! Thank you so very much!
Will make this when Southern California’s weather cools down.
Do you always do recipes in a 8 x 8 pan or serving for 4?
My boys hate mushrooms. I make this with golden mushroom soup… they love it! Mom secrets are the best. 💕
Love the recipes