Tater Tot Casserole - Spend With Pennies

This is an easy tater tot casserole that my whole family loves.

Seasoned ground beef and veggies are mix with a quick and creamy sauce, and then baked under a layer of crispy tater tots.

It tastes delicious – the whole family will love it.
Tater tot casserole is a budget-friendly meal.
Make ahead and bake when ready!
So many options for add-ins, swaps, and variations.

Ingredients for Tater Tot Casserole

Beef – Use lean ground beef (80/20) which has just enough fat for flavor. Ground turkey or ground pork can be used in place.
Vegetables – Use either mixed frozen veggies or chop your own vegetables. Try frozen or canned corn, peas, or green beans.
Sauce – The sauce starts with condensed mushroom soup, milk, and a few spices.
Cheese – Sharp cheddar is my favorite choice for flavor.

Variations

Swap the mushroom soup for cream of chicken soup, cream of celery, or even leftover gravy.
Change the seasonings based on what you have on hand. Italian seasoning and garlic powder are great additions.

Ingredients to make classic tater tot casserole in a pot

Ingredients to make classic tater tot casserole mixed together in a pot

How to Make Tater Tot Casserole

This tater tot casserole recipe is a family favorite recipe all year long.

Brown the ground beef and onion. Drain any fat.
Mix vegetables, soup, milk, seasonings, cooked beef, and shredded cheese.
Spread the mixture in a casserole dish and top with cheese and tater tots.
Bake (recipe below) until the sauce is bubbly and the tots are golden brown.

Make Ahead Meal

To freeze this tater tot casserole, line a casserole dish with parchment paper overhanging on each longer side. Assemble the casserole and freeze. Once frozen,gently lift the frozen casserole out of the dish and wrap it in plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 4 months.

To bake, unwrap the frozen casserole and place it in the same casserole dish it was prepared in. Thaw in refrigerator over night and bake as directed.

cooked Easy Tater Tot Casserole in the pot

Storing Leftovers

Tater tot casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat portions in the microwave or the oven or air fryer for crispier tots.
Individual portions can be frozen in freezer-safe containers for up to 4 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

More Favorite Casserole Recipes

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Classic Tater Tot Casserole

Cheesy, creamy, and loaded with hearty ingredients, Tater Tot Casserole is comfort food at its finest!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and onion until no pink remains. Drain any fat.
In a medium bowl, mix the thawed vegetables, soup, milk, seasonings, beef mixture, and ½ cup shredded cheese.
Spread the beef mixture into a 3qt or 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
Top with tater tots and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the tots are golden brown.

*If using fresh vegetables such as carrots and celery, they should be steamed or can be cooked in the frying pan along with the browned beef until tender.
Frozen vegetables should be thawed first. Any variation or mixture of vegetables can be added.
Canned mushroom soup can be substituted with other “cream of” soups, gravy, or even a can of gravy or tomato soup.
Any size casserole dish can be used for this recipe. A deeper dish may need a little bit of extra cooking time.
This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated. If chilled from the fridge, it will require extra baking time.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Beef, Casserole, Dinner, Entree

Cuisine American

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