Tater Tot Casserole is an easy dinner made with seasoned ground beef, corn, a creamy mushroom sauce, cheddar cheese, and crispy tater tots. This family favorite is packed with flavor, simple to prepare, and on the table in about an hour!
I first heard about Tater Tot Casserole from a friend who told me how much her family loved it. She passed the recipe along, I tucked it into my recipe book, and admittedly forgot about it for a few years! When I finally pulled it out and made it for dinner, I couldn’t believe I had waited so long.
My kids came downstairs asking what smelled so good before it even came out of the oven, and once we sat down to eat, they went back for seconds! The crispy tater tots, cheesy ground beef and corn mixture, and creamy filling make this such an easy family dinner. It’s also inexpensive, freezer-friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights when you need something everyone will actually eat. My Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is another family favorite for those busy nights!
Quick Look: Ultimate Tater Tot Casserole
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: About 40 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour
- Servings: 8
- Taste: Creamy, cheesy, and perfectly seasoned with classic comfort-food flavors.
- Texture: A creamy ground beef and corn filling topped with melted cheddar cheese and crispy tater tots.
- Skill Level: Easy. Brown the ground beef, stir together the filling, layer everything in a casserole dish, and bake.
- Tools: Large skillet and 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Good to Know: The filling can be prepared ahead of time, and leftovers freeze well, making this a great option for busy weeknights or meal prep.
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Oh my gosh! Nearly 5 years ago I posted a comment about this recipe and completely forgot that you'd asked me to let you know my thoughts once I'd tried your recipe. I just came across the recipe again in your most recent post. This recipe is rich, delicious, easy and raved about every time I serve it! (P.S. The ONLY additional ingredient I add is diced onion to my turkey when browning it. Just my personal preference.) This recipe is a winner!
Ingredient Notes
See printable recipe card below for exact ingredients and step by step directions.
- Ground Beef: I recommend lean ground beef so there isn’t too much excess grease. Drain any fat after browning.
- Corn: Canned corn keeps things easy. Be sure to drain the corn kernels before adding them to the filling.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: This creates the creamy base of the casserole and brings the filling together.
- Cheddar Cheese: I use shredded cheddar cheese, but sharp cheddar works great if you want a stronger cheese flavor.
- Tater Tots: Add the frozen tater tots directly to the casserole. There’s no need to thaw them first.
Variations & Substitutions
- Change the Meat: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey if preferred. Both work great in this casserole. For a Mexican-inspired version using ground beef, beans, cheese, and crispy tots, try my Taco Tater Tot Casserole.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in green beans or mixed vegetables along with the corn for an easy way to add more veggies.
- Change the Soup: Cream of chicken or cream of celery soup can be used in place of the cream of mushroom soup.
- Switch the Cheese: Try Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or a cheddar blend in place of the cheddar cheese.
Prefer chicken? My Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is another easy version made with crispy tater tots, shredded chicken, cheese, bacon, and ranch.
How to Make Tater Tot Casserole
Step 1. Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the lean ground beef until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
Step 2. Add the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to the ground beef. Stir until well combined.
Step 3. Remove the skillet from heat and add the corn, sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, and milk.
Step 4. Stir until the mixture is creamy and well combined.
Step 5. Spread the ground beef mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 6. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the ground beef mixture.
Step 7. Arrange the frozen tater tots evenly over the top of the casserole.
Step 8. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the tater tots are crispy and golden brown and the casserole is heated through. Remove from the oven and serve.
Cooking Tips
- Use a Single Layer: Arrange the tater tots in one even layer so they bake evenly and get golden brown.
- For Extra Crispy Tots: Broil the casserole for 1-2 minutes at the end, keeping a close eye on it so the tater tots don’t burn.
If your family loves ground beef casseroles topped with crispy potatoes, be sure to try my Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole next. It has ground beef, cheddar cheese, and crispy French fries in every bite.
Storage & Freezing
- Refrigerator: Store leftover tater tot casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Once cooled, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or warm larger portions in the oven at 350°F until heated through. The oven works best for keeping the tater tots crispy.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole without adding the tater tots, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add the frozen tater tots just before baking.
If make-ahead casseroles make busy nights easier, my Creamy Beef Stroganoff Casserole is another easy ground beef dinner that’s great for meal prep.
Tater Tot Casserole Recipe FAQs
Since this is a filling meal on its own, I like to keep the sides simple. Try serving it with a green salad, roasted vegetables, or steamed green beans.
Try adding cooked bacon, diced onion, or extra vegetables to the filling. You can also sprinkle sliced green onions on top before serving.
More Ground Beef Recipes To Try
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Ultimate Tater Tot Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 12 oz corn drained
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 12 oz cream of mushroom soup
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 lb frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
- Add the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until well combined.
- Remove the skillet from heat and add the corn, sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, and milk. Stir until creamy and well combined.
- Spread the ground beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef mixture.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in an even layer over the top.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the tater tots are crispy and golden brown and the casserole is heated through. Remove from the oven and serve.
Notes
- Ground turkey can be substituted for the ground beef.
- For extra crispy tater tots, broil for 1-2 minutes after baking, watching closely to prevent burning.
Cindy B. says
Kristin!!!! I can’t wait to try this version of Tater Tot Casserole. I almost didn’t check it out after I saw the title, because I thought it was probably the same basic recipe I’ve been making for years, but not even close – yours has way more yummy ingredients to glam it up. Thank you for sharing.
Kristin says
Yay!! Hope you enjoy and be sure to let me know what you think when you try it!! It is a family favorite in my house!
Cindy B says
Oh my gosh! Nearly 5 years ago I posted a comment about this recipe and completely forgot that you’d asked me to let you know my thoughts once I’d tried your recipe. I just came across the recipe again in your most recent post. This recipe is rich, delicious, easy and raved about every time I serve it! (P.S. The ONLY additional ingredient I add is diced onion to my turkey when browning it. Just my personal preference.) This recipe is a winner!
Kristin Hayes says
Yay!! Love that this has been a favorite in your house for years! Thanks for the fabulous feedback and love the idea of onion!!
Susan Dugger says
i am going make the whole thing freeze one, cook the other.
Kristin says
Great idea! Enjoy!
Susan Dugger says
thank you very much you have been wonderful. i am the only one eating it.
Kristin says
Yum!! Hope you enjoy!
Susan Dugger says
never mind i am going to cook one and freeze the other between 2 square glass pan, ii am the only one eating it, you never got back to me.
Kristin says
Great idea as well! Sorry for the delayed response, for some reason your comments ended up in my spam folder. I have corrected a setting, so hopefully that helps going forward! Enjoy!
Susan Dugger says
i want to half this recipe can i do it for a 11x 7 casserole dish.
Kristin says
That absolutely works! You can use an 8×8 or the 11×7
Ann Marie Suffoletto says
Hi… Has anyone ever made this without the meat? Want to try it as a side dish. Thanks
Kristin says
I bet it would work great! I haven’t tried it personally, but I don’t see why that wouldn’t work!
Tonya says
I make a version of this with cream of chicken soup AND cream of celery soup, and I also add french fried onions over the cheese and under the tater tots. It’s delicious! I love your recipes and have over 2 dozen of them in my recipe bookmark!
Kristin says
Oooo that sounds yummy too!!
I am so glad you enjoy the recipes, I sure do enjoy sharing them!! Be sure to keep me posted on what you try and how recipes turn out!!
Denise says
I just made this and it’s my new favorite tater tot casserole. I did use twice the amount of cheese and broiled it at the end to crisp up them tots. Thank you for sharing. Great dish for this cold winter.
Kristin says
Yea!! So glad you enjoyed it!
Nidama says
I make this same casserole with French Style Green Beans, love it~!
Kristin says
Oh yum! I will have to remember that for next time!!
Barb says
Just a suggestion…but cooking some cut up bacon and adding it in is a nice twist..
Kristin says
Great idea! Bacon makes everything better! I will definitely try that next time!! Thanks!!
Heidi says
Love this, although I’m from Minnesota so it’s Tater Tot Hot Dish! I use a package of frozen mixed vegetables rather than just the corn. So yummy!
Kristin says
Great thinking!!! Love the name of it!!
Lucy Lou says
I’ve made this for years but used cream of celery soup x2 or a large can with no corn. Everyone loves it.
Kristin says
Yum!! Glad its a hit with your family too!!
Belinda says
Hello, this looks so good , is it enough to feed four adults ? thanks
Kristin says
Hi!! Definitely plenty to feed four adults. My family of 5 ate this 2 times and also had it for lunch leftovers. Hope you enjoy it! Keep me posted if you try it!!
Carla says
Kristen… if you pulverized the cream of mushroom soup in a blender your kids will never know there are mushrooms in the casserole… a coworker did this to her husband for years before he finally figured it out.. Or… I think it would be As good with cream of chicken soup?
this is an awesome casserole, you can also put some grated cheese over the to! Mmmm
Kristin says
Great idea!! Thanks! I am sure cream of chicken would work great as well!! Yum!!
Barb says
Hi Kristen….I make this casserole and like you said it is yummy. My recipe doesn’t call for corn, but it does call for fresh sliced mushrooms.
Kristin says
Oooo yum!! If only my kids ate mushrooms, I would definitely have to try that! Having picky kids, I am limited, hehe!!