Tater Tot Casserole is a beloved comfort dish found in many Midwestern homes. Known for its satisfying layers of ground beef, creamy soups, and a crispy tater tot topping, this hearty bake is perfect for family dinners or potlucks. Its origins lie in economical, pantry-friendly cooking, where canned soups and frozen ingredients come together quickly. It's a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make, filling, and full of
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 oz dry onion soup mix (½ package)
- ½ can cream of celery soup
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 32 oz tater tots
Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Beef
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
Step 2: Mix Ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked ground beef, dry onion soup mix, cream of celery soup, and cream of chicken soup. Mix well.
Step 3: Assemble the Casserole
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread the beef mixture evenly into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Top with an even layer of frozen tater tots.
Step 4: Bake
- Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
Tips
- Add shredded cheddar cheese between the meat layer and tater tots for extra richness.
- Replace ground beef with ground turkey for a lighter version.
- Add frozen vegetables (peas, corn, green beans) to make it a one-pan meal.
- Use the whole can of cream of celery instead of half for additional creaminess.
- Substitute dry onion soup mix with chopped fresh onions + garlic powder.
- Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce to the beef for deeper flavor.
- Make it spicy with diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes.
- Use crispy crowns instead of tater tots for a different texture.
- Prepare in advance and refrigerate overnight to bake the next day.
- Double the recipe and freeze one casserole for future meals.
Nutrition
Calories: 515kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 28gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1.2gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 1130mgPotassium: 650mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 325IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 3.1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!