Quick & Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole
This Quick & Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for those busy days when time is scarce but flavor is a must. Combining savory ground beef with crispy tater tots, creamy mushroom soup, and a generous layer of melted cheese, this dish is sure to please the whole family. With its simple preparation and minimal clean-up, it’s no wonder my wife constantly requests it. Plus, you can easily personalize it by swapping out the mushroom soup for your favorite gravy, making it a versatile weeknight dinner option. Get ready to dig into a heartwarming meal that’s both satisfying and quick to prepare!
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
5
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground Beef
1 lb (browned and drained)
Tater Tots
30 ounces (frozen)
Cream of Mushroom Soup
2 (10.75 ounce) cans (canned)
Shredded Cheese
8 ounces (your favorite type)
Salt and Pepper
to taste (seasoning)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
2
In a skillet, brown 1 pound of ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ground beef with a 30-ounce bag of tater tots until evenly mixed.
4
Transfer the mixture into a greased glass baking dish, spreading it evenly.
5
Pour the two 10.75-ounce cans of cream of mushroom soup over the tater tot and beef mixture, ensuring an even coating.
6
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes.
7
After 15 minutes, remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle an 8-ounce bag of your favorite shredded cheese on top.
8
Return the dish to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
9
Allow it to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your hearty casserole!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Quick & Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole?
It is a comfort food dish combining savory ground beef, crispy tater tots, creamy mushroom soup, and melted cheese.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 8 servings.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 450°F (230°C).
How much ground beef is required for this recipe?
You will need 1 pound of ground beef.
Do I need to pre-cook the ground beef?
Yes, you should brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain any excess fat before mixing it with other ingredients.
What size bag of tater tots should I use?
The recipe calls for one 30-ounce bag of tater tots.
How many cans of soup are needed?
You will need two 10.75-ounce cans of cream of mushroom soup.
Can I substitute the cream of mushroom soup?
Yes, you can easily personalize the dish by swapping the mushroom soup for your favorite gravy.
What type of cheese is best for this casserole?
You can use an 8-ounce bag of your favorite shredded cheese.
How long does the casserole need to bake initially?
The initial baking time is 15 minutes at 450°F.
When do I add the cheese?
Add the cheese after the initial 15-minute bake, then return it to the oven for another 5 minutes.
How do I know when the casserole is finished?
The casserole is done when the cheese has melted and is bubbly, typically after the final 5 minutes of baking.
Is this a good meal for busy weeknights?
Yes, it is designed for busy days with simple preparation and minimal clean-up.
What kind of baking dish should I use?
A greased glass baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
Should I season the meat?
Yes, you can add salt and pepper to taste.
Should the tater tots be frozen?
The recipe indicates using frozen tater tots mixed with the cooked beef.
Do I mix the soup into the meat and tots?
No, you pour the soup over the tater tot and beef mixture to ensure an even coating on top.
How should I prepare the baking dish?
The glass baking dish should be greased before adding the mixture.
Should I let the dish rest after baking?
Yes, allow it to cool slightly before serving.
Is this recipe considered a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is categorized as a one-dish meal and a casserole.
How much cheese is required?
The recipe requires 8 ounces of shredded cheese.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
What are the primary tags for this recipe?
Tags include casserole, one dish meal, quick dinner, family meal, and comfort food.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
While the recipe calls for ground beef, ground turkey is a common substitute in similar casseroles.
Does this recipe have a lot of ingredients?
No, it only has 5 main ingredients: beef, tots, soup, cheese, and seasoning.
What is the total estimated baking time?
The total baking time is approximately 20 minutes.
What should I do with excess fat from the beef?
You should drain any excess fat after browning the meat.
How do I ensure the soup is applied correctly?
Pour it over the beef and tot mixture, ensuring an even coating.
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, the combination of beef, tots, and cheese makes it a family-friendly favorite.
Where do I mix the beef and tots?
Combine them in a large mixing bowl until they are evenly mixed before transferring to the baking dish.