Simple and Delicious Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Introduction

The Simple and Delicious Tater Tot Casserole Recipe is the ultimate comfort food—crispy golden tater tots layered over a savory, creamy filling of seasoned ground beef and tender vegetables, all baked to bubbling perfection. It’s an ideal weeknight dinner option because it’s hearty, kid-friendly, and astonishingly easy to throw together with minimal ingredients and prep time.

Why You’ll Love This Tater Tot Casserole

What makes this casserole a go-to for busy families and potluck fans alike? It’s fuss-free, requires just one baking dish, and delivers that irresistible combo of crisp tater tots and flavorful meat and veggie filling. The easy customization makes it a crowd pleaser—add cheese, swap in ground turkey, or load in extra veggies to make it your own.

Building Layers of Flavor

Start by browning well-seasoned ground beef (or turkey, if you prefer) with onions, garlic, and frozen mixed vegetables. The mixture is bound together with a creamy soup base—a classic in casseroles—which infuses every bite with richness. Topped with crunchy tater tots that bake up golden, this casserole’s oven-fresh aroma will have everyone racing to the table.

Tips for a Perfect Casserole

– Ensure your meat is fully cooked and drained before layering.
– Use frozen tater tots straight from the freezer for the best crispy topping.
– For extra flavor, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese either under or on top of the tater tots before baking.
– Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking for easier slicing.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this tater tot casserole with a fresh green salad or steamed broccoli for a balanced meal. Leftovers (if you have any!) reheat beautifully, making them perfect for next-day lunches. This dish also freezes well, so you can prepare it ahead to save time on busy nights.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 6 generous servings. Each serving is approximately 420–480 calories, depending on cheese and vegetable additions. It offers a balanced amount of protein, carbohydrates, and veggies, wrapped in a deliciously crispy package.

Simple and Delicious Tater Tot Casserole (Recap)

Few dishes are as universally loved as a piping-hot tater tot casserole. Its layers of savory meat, creamy sauce, sweet vegetables, and crisp tater tots make it a dependable dinner solution that’s satisfying, simple, and always crowd-pleasing.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with diced onion. Cook until beef is no longer pink. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 more minute. Drain excess fat.
3. Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and milk. Mix until well blended. Add the frozen mixed vegetables and 1 cup of shredded cheese (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer until warmed through.
4. Spread the meat and vegetable mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
5. Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the mixture, covering it completely.
6. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese on top, if desired.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes or until tater tots are golden brown and casserole is bubbling around the edges.
8. Let rest for 5 minutes, then serve hot. Enjoy!

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is a classic winner for your weeknight meal rotation. Save and schedule this recipe to enjoy seamless meal planning, including smart shopping lists that bring together all your meal ingredients by store section.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically sums up ingredient amounts across recipes.
• Organizes your shopping by store section for lightning-fast grocery trips.
• Reduces duplicate purchases and forgotten items.
• Effortlessly manages grocery needs for the whole week.

Pro tip: Schedule multiple recipes to see overlapping ingredients (like cheese or vegetables) so your shopping list is extra efficient—cutting down waste and saving you money.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Enjoy your Simple and Delicious Tater Tot Casserole Recipe as part of an organized, effortless weekly meal plan!