Description
A family favorite that combines savory ground beef, gooey cheese, and crispy tater tots into a one-pan comfort meal that’s both easy and irresistible.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of cheddar)
- ½ cup milk
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
- Optional toppings: diced pickles, chopped parsley, or bacon bits
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened. Drain any excess grease. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Mix the Base Layer: Combine the cooked beef with cream of mushroom soup and milk. Spread this mixture evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add Cheese Layer: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture.
- Layer Tater Tots: Arrange the tater tots in a single layer on top, covering the entire surface.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the casserole for 25–30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is bubbly.
- Serve and Garnish: Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with your favorite toppings like parsley, pickles, or bacon bits.
Notes
- Pre-Baking Tater Tots for Extra Crunch: For an ultra-crispy topping, bake the tater tots on a separate tray until partially cooked before layering them on the casserole. This ensures they stay crispy even after baking with the casserole.
- Customizable Cheese Options: While cheddar is a classic, you can mix in or substitute other cheeses like mozzarella, Colby Jack, or Pepper Jack for varied flavors and a gooey texture.
- Draining Ground Beef is Essential: Make sure to drain the ground beef after cooking to prevent excess grease from making the casserole soggy. This step keeps the layers well-textured and flavorful.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins