Cheesy Beef Tater Tot Casserole 🥔🧀

This hearty and comforting casserole is a crowd-pleaser and perfect for families seeking a quick meal. With layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy cheeses, and golden crispy tater tots, it’s a dish that will warm your heart and fill your belly. Want to spice things up? Feel free to add some veggies or your favorite hot sauce for extra flavor! 🌶️✨

Ingredients

For the casserole

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 package (32 oz) frozen tater tots

For the topping

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup crispy fried onions (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic until the beef is browned and the onion is translucent. Drain excess fat.

🍳 For extra flavor, feel free to add some seasoning such as taco seasoning or paprika while cooking the beef.

• In a bowl, combine the cooked beef mixture, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Stir until well mixed; season with salt and pepper.

• Spread the beef mixture evenly in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the beef mixture.

• Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, remove from the oven, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top, and add crispy fried onions, if using.

🧀 Crispy fried onions aren’t necessary, but they add a delightful crunch and an extra layer of flavor to the dish.

• Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the tater tots are golden brown.

• Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Variations

• Vegetarian: Substitute the ground beef with black beans or a meat substitute like lentils or tempeh and increase the veggie content by adding bell peppers and corn.
• Spicy: Add diced jalapeños or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the beef mixture for a spicy kick! 🌶️
• Loaded: Top with cooked bacon bits or your favorite toppings like diced tomatoes, green onions, or avocado to complement the dish.
• Gluten-free: Ensure all your ingredients are gluten-free, particularly the cream of mushroom soup, or make your own version using gluten-free flour.

Enjoy this delightful Tater Tot Casserole with Beef and Cheese—it's sure to become a family favorite! 🍽️🥰