Comforting Midwest Tater Tot Casserole (Printable Version)
Hearty ground beef and vegetables topped with crispy golden tater tots and cheddar cheese. A classic Midwest comfort food perfect for feeding a crowd.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cups frozen corn kernels
04 - 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
→ Sauces & Dairy
05 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk
07 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
→ Pantry & Seasonings
08 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
09 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
10 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
→ Topping
12 - 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
03 - Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
04 - Add the cream of mushroom soup and milk to the skillet. Mix until combined, then stir in corn and peas (if using).
05 - Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
06 - Arrange tater tots in a single, even layer over the casserole.
07 - Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, or until tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
08 - Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The contrast between crispy tater tots and that velvety beef filling is pure comfort magic
- It comes together in under fifteen minutes of prep but tastes like it simmered all day
- Kids and adults both get excited when they see this hit the table
02 -
- The tater tots must be arranged in a single layer with no overlapping or they'll steam instead of getting crispy
- Letting the casserole rest for those 5 minutes seems minor but it's the difference between a sloppy mess and perfect slices
- Different brands of tater tots cook differently so check yours at 35 minutes and adjust accordingly
03 -
- Sprinkle extra cheese over the tater tots during the last 5 minutes of baking for cheese pulls that will make everyone gasp
- Try mixing half sharp cheddar and half pepper jack for a subtle kick that keeps people guessing