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Close-up of Tater Tot Casserole showing bubbly melted orange cheddar cheese and creamy beige ground beef sauce under a layer of tots.

Tater Tot Casserole: The Ultimate Cheesy Comfort Food Recipe

A quintessential comfort food featuring seasoned ground beef in a creamy beige sauce, topped with bubbly melted cheddar and a perfect grid of crispy golden tater tots. Simple, nostalgic, and incredibly satisfying for the whole family.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1.5 lbs Ground Beef 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 10.5 oz Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese freshly shredded
  • 32 oz Frozen Tater Tots
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley finely chopped

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 inch baking dish White ceramic preferred for even heating.
  • 1 Large Skillet For browning the beef.

Method
 

Prepare the Beef
  1. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break into small crumbles and cook until a golden-brown crust forms.
  2. Stir in diced onions and cook until translucent. Add minced garlic for the final minute of browning.
Mix and Assemble
  1. Lower heat and stir in the condensed soup, sour cream, and Worcestershire sauce until the beef is creamy and beige.
  2. Transfer mixture to a 9x13 dish and top with an even layer of shredded cheddar cheese.
  3. Place frozen tater tots in a precise grid pattern over the cheese layer.
Bake
  1. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 35-40 minutes until tots are crispy golden-brown and sauce is bubbly.

Notes

Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing to ensure the sauce sets.
For extra crispy tots, broil for the final 2 minutes.