Tater Tot Casserole with Cheddar, Beef, and Veggies Recipe
Introduction
Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish perfect for family dinners. With a savory beef mixture, melted cheddar, and crispy tater tots on top, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s simple to prepare. This casserole brings together classic flavors with ease and satisfying textures.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Ground Beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced (any color)
- 2 teaspoons Ketchup
- 3 teaspoons Yellow Mustard
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 Tablespoons Flour
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 2 ½ cups Cheddar Cheese, separated
- 32 oz. frozen Tater Tots
- 2 cups Beef Broth
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 1 teaspoon Soy Sauce
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 10.5 oz. low sodium cream of mushroom soup
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, combine beef broth, chicken bouillon cube, soy sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder. Set this gravy mixture aside.
- Step 3: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef with diced onions until thoroughly browned. Add minced garlic and diced bell peppers, cooking for 1-2 more minutes. Drain excess grease.
- Step 4: Season the meat mixture with ketchup, yellow mustard, tomato paste, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir well.
- Step 5: Sprinkle the flour over the meat mixture, stirring to combine. Cook for about 2 minutes until the raw flour smell disappears.
- Step 6: Slowly add the beef broth mixture in small splashes, scraping the bottom of the pan with a spatula to release flavorful bits. Avoid pouring too quickly to keep the sauce thick.
- Step 7: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes to thicken. Remove from heat.
- Step 8: If desired, spread the cream of mushroom soup evenly over the top of the beef mixture.
- Step 9: If your skillet isn’t oven-safe, transfer the beef mixture to a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle the frozen corn over the beef, then add 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Step 10: Arrange an even layer of frozen tater tots on top of the cheese and casserole layers.
- Step 11: Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes.
- Step 12: Remove casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese over the tater tots. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, until cheese is melted and tots are crispy.
- Step 13: Optional: Garnish with chopped chives and crispy bacon or bacon bits before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Use a mix of bell pepper colors to brighten the dish and add sweetness.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cheddar cheese with a vegan cheese alternative.
- Add chopped mushrooms or green beans with the corn for extra veggies.
- Using a cast-iron skillet that can go from stovetop to oven saves cleanup and builds flavor.
- Swap out cream of mushroom soup for cream of chicken or cream of celery for a different flavor twist.
Storage
Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish covered with foil in a 350°F oven until heated through. Avoid freezing as the tater tots may lose their crispness.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the beef mixture and assemble the casserole a day ahead. Keep it covered in the refrigerator and bake it fresh when ready to serve.
Can I use homemade tater tots instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Homemade tater tots will work well and add a personal touch. Just be sure they are fully cooked or partially cooked before assembling the casserole to ensure proper texture.
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Tater Tot Casserole with Cheddar, Beef, and Veggies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
This Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting and hearty meal featuring a savory ground beef mixture with onions, garlic, and bell peppers, topped with cheese, corn, and crispy tater tots. Baked to golden perfection, it’s a family-friendly dish that’s quick to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb. Ground Beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced (any color)
- 2 teaspoons Ketchup
- 3 teaspoons Yellow Mustard
- 1 Tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 2 Tablespoons Flour
Sauce/Gravy
- 2 cups Beef Broth
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 1 teaspoon Soy Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 10.5 oz. low sodium Cream of Mushroom Soup (optional)
Topping
- 1 cup Frozen Corn
- 2 ½ cups Cheddar Cheese, separated (2 cups + ½ cup)
- 32 oz. Frozen Tater Tots
Instructions
- Prep Work: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, combine the beef broth, chicken bouillon cube, soy sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder to create the gravy mixture. Set this aside for later use.
- Cook Ground Beef and Vegetables: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef along with the diced onions until the beef is browned and fully cooked. Add the minced garlic and diced bell peppers, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes. Drain off any excess grease to keep the dish from getting too oily.
- Season and Thicken Meat Mixture: Season the beef mixture lightly with salt and pepper, then stir in ketchup, yellow mustard, and tomato paste. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir well to combine. Continue cooking for about 2 minutes, until the raw flour smell disappears, which will help thicken the sauce later.
- Add Gravy Mixture: Gradually add the beef broth mixture in small splashes, using a silicone spatula to scrape the bottom of the pan. This helps incorporate flavorful browned bits into the sauce. Add the liquid slowly to maintain a thick base. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and let it thicken for about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from heat.
- Optional Mushroom Soup Layer: If desired, spread the low sodium cream of mushroom soup evenly over the top of the beef mixture to add extra creaminess.
- Assemble the Casserole: If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the beef mixture to a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Evenly spread the frozen corn over the beef, then sprinkle 2 cups of the cheddar cheese on top.
- Add Tater Tot Topping: Arrange a single even layer of frozen tater tots over the cheese and corn layer.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes. After 40 minutes, remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese over the tater tots, then return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Optionally garnish with chopped chives and crispy bacon or bacon bits for extra flavor and texture before serving. Enjoy your hearty tater tot casserole!
Notes
- Make sure to drain excess fat after cooking the ground beef to prevent a greasy casserole.
- Adding flour helps to thicken the beef mixture for a better consistency.
- Do not add the beef broth mixture all at once; add gradually to maintain a thick sauce.
- The cream of mushroom soup is optional but adds creaminess to the dish.
- Use frozen tater tots directly from the freezer—no need to thaw.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute beef with plant-based ground meat and use vegetable broth.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Tater Tot Casserole, ground beef casserole, easy dinner recipe, baked tater tots, comfort food, cheesy casserole
