Description
This comforting Tater Tot Casserole combines savory ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, corn, sour cream, and cheddar cheese, all topped with crispy baked tater tots. Perfect for a family dinner, this hearty casserole is easy to prepare and delivers a deliciously satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (12 ounce) can corn, drained
Seasonings and Sauces
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dairy
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Soup and Toppings
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
- Chopped scallions for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and position the oven rack in the top third of the oven to ensure even baking and browning of the casserole top.
- Cook Beef and Onions: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onions. Stir occasionally and break up the beef with a spoon until it is browned and the onions are softened, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary to avoid greasiness.
- Sauté Garlic and Season: Add minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Cook for about one minute, stirring to combine all flavors.
- Combine Creamy Mixture: Reduce heat to medium. Stir in sour cream, condensed cream of mushroom soup, drained corn, and half a cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well and let the mixture heat through for 1-2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the beef mixture to a 9×13 inch casserole dish or an oven-safe skillet. Smooth it out evenly. This container will hold the entire dish while baking.
- Add Cheese and Tater Tots: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef mixture. Then, arrange the frozen tater tots on top in an even layer to cover the dish.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 45 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Serve with optional chopped scallions on top and add salt and pepper to taste for extra seasoning.
Notes
- For a quicker cleanup, you can assemble and bake the casserole entirely in a large oven-safe skillet.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to taste before serving.
- Frozen tater tots can be substituted with homemade potato tots or a comparable frozen potato product.
- To make this recipe lower in fat, consider using reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.
