Description
Hearty Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole delivers comfort food perfection with layers of savory ground beef, crispy potato tots, and melted cheese. Midwest home cooking shines through this satisfying one-dish meal that welcomes family and friends to the table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
Dairy:
- 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 (10 ounces) can of cream of chicken soup
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 0.25 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 0.5 pound frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a moderate 350°F (175°C) for optimal cooking environment.
- In a skillet, brown ground beef with diced onions over medium heat, ensuring meat is thoroughly cooked and onions are translucent.
- Drain excess fat from the beef mixture to reduce greasiness.
- Enhance the beef with a sprinkle of seasoned salt, distributing the flavor evenly.
- Transfer the seasoned beef mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish, creating an even base layer.
- Generously distribute the first portion of cheddar cheese across the beef foundation.
- Carefully spread cream of chicken soup over the cheese layer to create a creamy barrier.
- Meticulously arrange tater tots in a uniform single layer, covering the entire soup surface.
- Crown the casserole with remaining cheddar cheese, ensuring complete coverage of the tater tots.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until tater tots transform into golden, crispy perfection.
- Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes, helping the layers set and making serving easier.
Notes
- Drain beef thoroughly to prevent soggy casserole base and ensure crispy tater tots on top.
- Use lean ground beef (90/10) for less grease and a healthier version of the dish.
- Customize the seasoning by adding garlic powder, paprika, or dried herbs for extra flavor depth.
- Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free cream of chicken soup and checking seasoning salt ingredients.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 515 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg