This quick beef tater tot casserole recipe requires only five ingredients. The cream of mushroom soup and milk makes every bite creamy, rich, and flavorful. If you enjoy tater tots, you and your family will not be able to get enough.
This beef tater tot casserole recipe was one that I had to beg my mother to try. She claimed that didn’t sound right. What isn’t appealing about beef and onion topped with tater tots and baked in a creamy mushroom sauce?
So I prepared a large quantity and showed up at her house. She took one bite, and her eyes grew as large as dollars. “This is good; what did you say was in it?”.
Cook the ground beef and onion before placing them in a casserole dish with the tater tots, cream of mushroom soup, and milk. In 30 minutes, your potato tot casserole will be ready to eat. I told you it was too simple!
Recipe Ingredients
- Ground beef (pre-browned; optionally flavored with onion)
- Creamy mushroom soup (you can use low-fat version)
- Tater Tots in the freezer
- Milk
Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Baking dish, 8 by 8 inches
- Blending Bowls
How to Prepare a Recipe for Beef Tater Tot Casserole
- Brown your beef first
I like to brown my beef ahead of time and freeze it to make dinners like this one easier to prepare. If you already have one of these ground beef separators, use it. If you don’t have one, promise me you’ll get one to make things easy! They are quite inexpensive and incredibly useful.
I browned my beef with onions to provide some flavor. I drained off the grease before proceeding to the next step.
I browned up to 30 pounds of ground beef in one day and stored it in zipper-sealed baggies. I usually put approximately a cup in each bag and then took out one or two bags based on how much I needed.
- Put this ground beef mixture in the bottom of your 8×8 baking dish.
- Cover in the frozen tater tots.
- Strain the cream of mushroom soup into a medium bowl, then add about a cup and a half of milk.
- Stir thoroughly
.
It will still be lumpy, but everything will be okay if you stir it thoroughly.
- Pour the soup over all of the beef tater tot casserole.
- Wrapped with foil and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.
Many recipes do not call for you to cover your casserole, and I used to do the same, but I’ve discovered that covering it up a little bit makes it even better. Uncover the tater tots for the final 10 minutes of cooking if you want them golden brown.
Enjoy.
If you have any leftovers, they taste even better when reheated!
Do you cook tater-tot casserole for your family? I would love to hear about it!
How To Store Tater Tot Casserole?
Leftover casserole can be kept in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat briefly in the oven to produce crispy tater tots again. You may also keep leftovers frozen for up to three months. Thaw overnight before heating in the oven.
Plus Tips for Perfecting Beef Tater Tot Casserole
Customize with Vegetables, such as green beans, maize, peas, or carrots, for additional texture and flavor.
Cheesy Variation: top the steak with shredded cheddar or parmesan cheese.
Alternative Proteins: If preferred, replace the ground beef with either turkey or pork.
Flavor Enhancers: To improve the flavor of the meat mixture, add one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and two chopped garlic cloves.
Serve with Sides: Pair your casserole with a simple side salad or warm dinner bread to finish your supper.
Storage and Reheating: Refrigerate leftovers in an sealed bag for up to 4 days. Reheat rapidly in the oven to keep the potato tots crispy. Leftovers can be frozen for up to three months, thawing overnight before reheating.
FAQs
Is it possible to substitute cream of chicken soup with mushroom soup?
Yes, you can use cream of chicken soup to achieve a somewhat different flavor profile.
Can I prepare this casserole in advance?
Absolutely. You can prepare the casserole and chill it before baking it. Adjust the baking time appropriately.
What do I serve with this casserole?
For a more complete supper, serve it with a fresh salad, steaming veggies, or garlic bread.
Can I add additional toppings to the casserole?
Absolutely! Chopped green onions, crispy bacon bits, or even a sprinkle of grated cheese can make excellent additions.
Is it necessary to cover the dish in foil?
Covering the dish preserves moisture and keeps the tater tots from drying out. It is advised for optimal results.
Recipe Notes
- You might substitute the cream of mushroom soup with chicken soup if you like. This is my recipe for homemade cream of chicken soup.
- If you wish to add a few more layers, top the beef with canned veggies such as green beans, maize, peas, or carrots. You may then top with a cup of shredded cheddar or parmesan cheese for a delicious tater tot casserole.
- Change the ground beef with ground turkey or ground pork.
- To enhance the flavor of the beef mixture, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce and 2 chopped garlic cloves can be added.
- On a cool night, serve your tater tot casserole over a simple side salad or warm dinner rolls.
