Classic Tater Tot Casserole

When it comes to easy, hearty, and family-friendly meals, it’s hard to beat the timeless charm of a Tater Tot Casserole. Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd, prepping a weeknight dinner, or craving something warm and satisfying, this dish checks all the boxes. Made with ground beef, frozen vegetables, savory seasonings, and topped with a golden layer of crispy tater tots, this casserole is pure comfort food magic.

It’s budget-friendly, beginner-approved, and fully customizable to your tastes. Let’s dig into this nostalgic recipe that’s sure to become a staple at your table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super simple ingredients – No fancy or hard-to-find items here. Just pantry and freezer staples.

One-pan meal – Everything goes into a casserole dish, making clean-up a breeze.

Customizable – You can add cheese, switch up the veggies, or spice things up your way.

Kid-friendly – Tater tots on top? What kid (or adult) wouldn’t love that?

This casserole brings the flavor of a cheeseburger with the ease of a freezer-to-oven dish. It’s no wonder it has remained a beloved classic across generations.

Ingredients for Tater Tot Casserole

Here’s what you’ll need to make this dish:

1 pound ground beef

2 (14 oz) packages of mixed vegetables (frozen or canned, drained if using canned)

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 (1 lb) bag of frozen tater tots

Optional additions:

1 can of cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 small chopped onion (fresh)

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce or ketchup for flavor boost

How to Make Tater Tot Casserole

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish or baking pan.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked. If you’re using fresh chopped onions, add them while browning the beef. Drain off any excess grease.

Season the cooked beef with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings you like.

Step 3: Add Vegetables

Add the vegetables to the skillet with the beef and stir to combine. If you’re using cream soup, stir it in now to bind the mixture. A tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce or a squirt of ketchup adds a delicious tang!

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

Pour the beef and vegetable mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it evenly. If you want cheese, sprinkle a layer of shredded cheddar over the top before adding the tots.

Arrange the frozen tater tots on top in a single layer, covering the entire surface.

Step 5: Bake

Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy. If using cheese, you can sprinkle some more on top during the last 5 minutes of baking.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Dish it up warm and dig in!

Tips + Tricks for Tater Tot Casserole Success

Cheese makes it better – Add a layer of shredded cheddar or a cheese blend for gooey, melty goodness.

Soup or no soup – If you want a creamier casserole, use cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup. If you prefer a “dry” meat-and-veggie style, skip it.

Make it spicy – Add a dash of cayenne pepper, chili flakes, or diced jalapeños for some heat.

Switch up the meat – Try ground turkey, sausage, or even leftover shredded chicken.

Go fresh or frozen – Frozen mixed veggies are quick and easy, but you can use fresh chopped carrots, peas, corn, or green beans if you like.

Make-Ahead and Freezer Instructions

Make-ahead: You can assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then bake as directed.

Freezing: Assemble the casserole, wrap tightly in foil or freezer-safe wrap, and freeze before baking. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake as usual, or bake from frozen (adding 15–20 extra minutes of cook time).

Serving Suggestions

Tater Tot Casserole is a full meal on its own, but it pairs well with:

A fresh green salad

Coleslaw

Sliced tomatoes with salt and pepper

Pickles or relish on the side

Dinner rolls or Texas toast

Leftovers are delicious for lunch the next day and even better reheated in the air fryer or oven to re-crisp the tots.

Variations to Try

Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole – Add cooked bacon and cheddar cheese to the filling.

Tex-Mex Style – Stir in taco seasoning, black beans, and corn. Top with salsa and cheese.

Breakfast Version – Replace the beef with breakfast sausage and add scrambled eggs and cheese before topping with tots.

The base recipe is endlessly adaptable, and once you’ve made it once, you’ll want to try new twists every time.

Final Thoughts

Tater Tot Casserole is the kind of meal that never goes out of style. It’s warm, satisfying, and makes you feel like a kid again—with a plate full of crispy tots and savory filling. It’s also perfect for meal trains, potlucks, or feeding picky eaters.

Next time you’re wondering what to make with that pack of ground beef or those frozen veggies you’ve been meaning to use, remember this cozy classic. Easy, cheesy, and always a crowd-pleaser!

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