Tater Tot Casserole Recipe (Easy & Delicious!)

This easy tater tot casserole is classic comfort food with savory ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, and crunchy tater tots.

This is one of the easiest casserole recipes I’ve made with just 10 minutes of prep.

Best of all, it makes a delicious dinner the whole family will enjoy.

Best Tater Tot Casserole

Tater tot casserole is also known as tater tot hotdish.

It has all the ingredients of a classic Midwest casserole: potatoes, ground beef, canned or frozen veggies, and cream of mushroom soup.

With simple ingredients and crispy tots, this budget-friendly casserole brings homestyle comfort to the dinner table.

This easy, cheesy casserole is perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or family reunions. A single 9×13 baking dish can feed a crowd!

And leftovers heat up nicely for lunches, too.

Ingredients

This hearty, cheesy bowl of comfort only needs just a few simple ingredients!

• Ground Beef. I like to use 90% lean.

• Shredded Cheddar Cheese. You can also use American, Colby Jack, or a mixture of all three.

• Chopped Onion. You can also add in a few seasonings if you’d like. Salt, pepper, and a little Italian seasoning all work well.

• Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup. This creates a rich and creamy texture. Feel free to use cream of chicken if you prefer.

• Worcestershire Sauce. Don’t skip this one! It adds a delicious flavor to this savory meal.

• Tater Tots. These are the star ingredient and make up the top layer of the casserole.

• Sour Cream – Adds a tangy creaminess.

• Corn – Adds a touch of natural sweetness and a delightful color.

• Seasonings – Garlic powder, salt, and pepper are used to enhance the natural flavors of the other ingredients.

How to Make Tater Tot Casserole

The full recipe with ingredient details is in the recipe box at the bottom of this page. You can also print the recipe from there.

1. Prep. Preheat the oven to 375F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

2. Brown the meat. Cook the beef and onion over medium-high heat. Break up the meat as it cooks. When it’s ready, drain any excess grease or fat.

3. Add the seasoning. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

4. Mix the filling. In a large bowl, combine the beef and onion mixture with sour cream, condensed cream of mushroom soup, corn, and 1 cup of shredded cheese.

5. Assemble the casserole. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared casserole dish. Then, top it with a layer of tater tots. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots.

6. Bake. Bake the casserole for 35-40 minutes in the preheated oven.

7. Serve and enjoy! You may want to let it cool slightly first. The cheese will be extremely hot.

Recipe Variations

• Switch up the soup to create a new dish. This tater tot casserole calls for cream of mushroom soup, but it’ll taste amazing regardless of what canned soup you use. Cream of chicken soup or cheddar soup both sound good!

• Choose the cheese you like best! This recipe uses Cheddar cheese, but any melty cheese is a great option. You can use Colby Jack, American, or even a Mexican blend.

• Season the beef mixture with garlic. Or just use some garlic powder to keep it simple. And, don’t forget the basic seasonings – salt and pepper.

• Throw in some veggies. Green beans, mushrooms, and corn all work well in this easy casserole. Use either fresh or frozen vegetables.

• Keep it lean with low-fat protein. Ground turkey or chicken is a great option for a healthy alternative. 

• Top the tots with bacon for extra crunch. Because everything is better with bacon!

• Use sausage meat instead of ground beef. You may want to cut out the Worcestershire sauce in this case since sausage is pretty salty. You could also opt to use mozzarella since it’s pretty mellow.

How to Store Leftovers

Store: Cover the casserole with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or store in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

Reheat: You can reheat leftovers in the oven or microwave. If using the oven, cover with aluminum foil to keep the casserole from drying out.

Microwave smaller portions for 1-2 minutes on high.

Freeze: You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. For quick and easy meals, you can also freeze individual portions.

When you’re ready to use it, simply thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat.

Can I Make Tater Tot Casserole Ahead of Time?

• You sure can! Follow the recipe as written, but don’t add the tater tots.

• Cover the baking dish and refrigerate for up to 1 day. When you’re ready to bake, add a layer of tater tots and bake as directed.

• You may need to add a little extra cooking time since the casserole will be starting from a colder temperature.

• You can also make it ahead of time and freeze for up to 3 months. For best results though, add the tater tots when you’re ready to cook it.

Oh, and if you’re wondering what to serve with tater tot casserole, I have a whole post of tasty ideas!