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Tater tot casserole with ground beef, creamy sauce, cheddar, and a crispy golden potato topping.

Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef and Creamy Sauce

Tater tot casserole with ground beef is a comforting dish with a creamy, savory filling and a crispy potato topping. It is an easy, hearty meal perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 560
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Creamy Beef Filling
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Garlic powder, paprika, or other preferred seasonings, optional
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup (10.5 oz / 298 g)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
Topping
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 bag frozen tater tots (32 oz / 907 g)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F / 190°C.
  2. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, then add the diced onion and cook until softened. Season with salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder or paprika, then remove any excess fat.
  3. Mix the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream into the cooked beef mixture, heating for 2 to 3 minutes until evenly combined and warmed.
Assembly
  1. Grease a casserole dish and spread the creamy beef mixture evenly across the bottom.
  2. Add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the beef layer.
  3. Place the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
Baking
  1. Bake the casserole for 25 to 30 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crisp.
  2. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the casserole, then return it to the oven for 5 more minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serving
  1. Allow the casserole to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Arrange the tater tots in a single layer so they can crisp evenly during baking.