Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole
A Midwestern classic: seasoned ground beef and vegetables in a creamy homemade sauce, topped with cheddar and crispy tater tots and baked until golden. Kids love it.
By Tasty Nest Recipes Editorial TeamPublished
1 hr 5 min total One 9 x 13-inch casseroleEasy
Photo: Rochelle Hartman · CC BY 2.0. Illustrative photo; your results may look different.
About this recipe
Tater tot casserole, called hotdish in Minnesota, is the definition of family-friendly comfort food. Ground beef, onion and mixed vegetables are bound in a creamy sauce, covered in cheddar and topped with rows of crispy tater tots.
This version skips canned soup in favour of a quick homemade sauce that takes only a few extra minutes. It is easy to assemble ahead and bake when you need it.
Equipment you'll need
- Large deep skillet
- 9 x 13-inch baking dish
- Instant-read thermometer
Tips for success
- Arrange the tots snugly in a single layer for the crispiest top.
- Use the convection setting, if you have it, for extra-crispy tots.
- Assemble the filling up to a day ahead; add the frozen tots just before baking.
Substitutions and variations
- Use ground turkey (cook to 165°F / 74°C).
- Swap cheddar for pepper Jack or Colby.
- Use gluten-free tots and a cornstarch slurry instead of flour for a gluten-free casserole.
Storage and reheating
To store: Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Freeze the baked casserole for up to 3 months; the tots soften.
To reheat: Reheat uncovered in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 20 to 25 minutes until hot in the centre (165°F / 74°C) and the tots recrisp.
Recipe
Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole
A Midwestern classic: seasoned ground beef and vegetables in a creamy homemade sauce, topped with cheddar and crispy tater tots and baked until golden. Kids love it.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 50 min
- Total
- 1 hr 5 min
- Yield
- One 9 x 13-inch casserole
- Level
- Easy
Ingredients
Tick off ingredients as you gather them.
Instructions
Step 1: Heat the oven
Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Step 2: Brown the beef
Cook the beef and onion in the skillet over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat, for 8 to 10 minutes until the beef is browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat. Add the garlic, salt, pepper and Worcestershire for 1 minute.
Step 3: Make the sauce
Push the beef aside, melt the butter in the pan and stir in the flour for 1 minute. Gradually stir in the broth and milk and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until thick and creamy. Stir in the frozen vegetables.
Step 4: Assemble
Spread the beef mixture in the baking dish, sprinkle with the cheddar and arrange the tater tots in tight rows on top.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the tots are golden and crisp and the filling bubbles. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Cuisine: American (Midwestern) · Course: Dinner
Estimated nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 510
- Protein
- 26 g
- Fat
- 30 g
- Carbs
- 34 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
- Sugars
- 5 g
Approximate values estimated from typical nutrition data for the listed ingredients, excluding optional toppings and serving suggestions. Actual values vary with brands, portion sizes and substitutions. Not verified by a dietitian or laboratory analysis.
tastynestrecipes.com/recipes/tater-tot-casserole
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