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