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Ultimate Loaded Tater Tot Casserole

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A comforting and hearty casserole featuring crispy tater tots, creamy sauce, ground beef, and cheese, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 bag (about 32 oz / 900 g) frozen tater tots
  • 2 cups (200 g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup (150 g) frozen mixed vegetables (peas, corn, carrots)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (10.5 oz / 300 g) condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or dried thyme

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spatula, until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  3. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until onions are translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Stir in frozen mixed vegetables and cook for another 2 minutes to thaw slightly.
  5. In a bowl, whisk together condensed cream of mushroom soup and milk until smooth. Pour into the skillet with the beef mixture, season with salt, pepper, and optional spices, and simmer gently for 3 minutes to thicken.
  6. Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture evenly into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread shredded cheddar cheese over the top, then arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer covering the cheese.
  7. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until tater tots are golden brown and crispy and cheese is bubbly. If tots brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil for the last 10 minutes.
  8. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to help it set up and make slicing easier.

Notes

Use frozen tater tots straight from the freezer and arrange in a single layer to keep them crispy. If sauce is too runny, add more cheese or a tablespoon of flour next time. Rest casserole after baking for better slicing. For gluten-free, use gluten-free cream soup and verify tots are wheat-free. Vegetarian and dairy-free substitutions are possible.

Nutrition

Keywords: tater tot casserole, comfort food, easy casserole, ground beef casserole, cheesy casserole, family dinner, quick dinner

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/ultimate-loaded-tater-tot-casserole-recipe-easy-5-step-comfort-food-delight/