Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
This is the best tater tot casserole recipe out there. It’s made with simple ingredients like ground beef, cheddar cheese, and tater tots. We’ve been making this dish for years, and our pickiest eaters always come back for more. The classic, weeknight dinner has become a go-to for those who want easy, comforting dinners that always hit the spot.
With lots of positive reviews and a 4.47/5-star rating, this classic, easy weeknight dinner has become a go-to for those who want easy, comforting dinners that always hit the spot. One reader said, “My husband made this for my family, it was delicious!” We make this often, and it turns out delicious every time.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Servings | Prep Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 minutes | 50 minutes | 8 | Beginner + |
Featured Comment
Keshia says:
“My husband made this for my family, it was delicious!”
Watch How To Make Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredient Notes
The ingredients in this recipe are simple, everyday ingredients that you most likely already have on hand.
Onion – Sauteing the onions gives them depth of flavor, but if you need to save time, add 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder instead.
Ground beef – I use 80/20 for this recipe. You can always switch it out with turkey or sausage.
Tater tots – I add them right to the top of the dish, frozen. No need to thaw.
Cream of condensed chicken soup can be replaced with any of the condensed soups.
Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.
Step-By-Step Instructions For Tater Tot Casserole With Ground Beef
Begin by adding a tablespoon of butter to a large skillet on medium heat. Next, add the onions and cook until they are translucent. Then, add the ground beef and cook until done. Drain the grease off of the meat and transfer the meat to a large heat-safe bowl.
Next, add the salt, pepper, garlic salt, and the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and shredded cheese to the bowl.
Pour the milk into the bowl and mix the ingredients. Spread the meat mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and top with the frozen tater tots.
Place the casserole into the oven and bake for about 45 to 50 minutes, or until the dish is bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown.
Storage, Freezer, Make-Ahead, And Reheating Tips
You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
One of the things I like about this casserole recipe is that you can make it ahead of time and freeze it for a couple of months. When you’re ready, take the dish out of the freezer, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator for at least 10-12 hours. Then, add the tater tots on top and bake as usual.
To reheat, add the dinner to a microwave-safe bowl and heat for two to three minutes or until hot.
More Dinner Casseroles That You Will Love
If you love tater tot casserole, you will love these other easy casseroles with a bit of variety.
- If you want to keep the kitchen cool, try the slow cooker tater tot casserole with green beans. I know you’ll love it.
- Add a little more flavor with sloppy joe tater tot casserole for the family.
- 5-ingredient ground beef casserole is a great dish for any time of year.
- Mexican tater tot casserole is a fantastic dish to keep in your rotation. This delicious recipe is from The Girl Who Ate Everything.
Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1/3 cup diced onion
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- pinch salt and black pepper
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 10.5 ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
- 28 ounce bag frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350-degrees and grease a 9" x 13" casserole dish.
- Add the butter to the skillet, on medium heat, and let it melt. Now, add the diced onions and cook until they are golden brown.
- Next, add the ground beef and cook until done. Drain the grease and add to a large bowl.
- Now, add the salt, pepper, garlic salt, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, shredded cheddar cheese, and milk. Give it all a good stir.
- Pour ground beef mixture into the greased casserole dish and spread to the edges.
- Top with the entire bag of tater tots.
- Bake for approximately 45-50 minutes or until the tater tots are golden brown.
Dang girl! Another winner!, This looks like comfort food at it’s finest! Gonna have to try!! And look at you with the “snap” to tater tots!! Woot!
Thanks, Kathleen! You’re so sweet. The snap was fun to create!
This looks wonderful, Thank you!!!
Thanks so much, Christy! And thanks for the feature on Southern Plate!
Awesome dish fills everyone up and so easy and quick to make
My husband made this for my family, it was delicious!
I make this a lot, but my recipe is a bit easier.
Layer 1: baked tots
Layer 2: mixture of cooked hamburger and cooked chopped broccoli
Layer 3: mixture of cream of chicken and cream of mushroom
Layer 4: shredded mozzarella
Cook about 30-35 minutes at 350ish. Delicious!
Sounds like a great way to make it! I will have to try that next time. Yum!
What is a serving size? 1/2 cup? 1 cup? Thanks!
Hi Katherine,
I would say it’s roughly 1 cup, maybe a little more.
My husband and son loved the casserole. However, I did not care for it. I only had Cream of Mushroom soup to use. I always use Cheddar Cheese Soup; but didn’t have it. However, as long as they like it that’s ok with me.
I am glad they liked it! You can definitely trade out the soups anytime.