Description
This Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish featuring seasoned ground beef, vegetables, and a rich, cheesy sauce, all topped with crispy golden tater tots. Perfect for family dinners, it combines savory flavors with a crispy, cheesy crust for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb. Ground Beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced (any color)
- 2 teaspoons Ketchup
- 3 teaspoons Yellow Mustard
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 Tablespoons Flour
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce/Gravy
- 2 cups Beef Broth
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 1 teaspoon Soy Sauce
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 10.5 oz. low sodium cream of mushroom soup (optional)
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 2 ½ cups Cheddar Cheese, divided
- 32 oz. frozen Tater Tots
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Sauce/Gravy: In a bowl, combine 2 cups beef broth, chicken bouillon cube, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cook Ground Beef Mixture: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef along with diced onions until the beef is browned and cooked through. Add the minced garlic and diced bell peppers; cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Drain any excess grease thoroughly.
- Season and Thicken: Season the beef mixture lightly with salt and pepper, then stir in ketchup, yellow mustard, and tomato paste until well combined. Sprinkle flour over the meat mixture and stir well to incorporate. Cook for about 2 minutes until the flour smell dissipates.
- Add Sauce: Gradually add the prepared beef broth mixture to the skillet in small splashes, using a silicone spatula to scrape the bottom of the pan and blend in the browned bits for flavor. Add the liquid slowly to maintain a thick base. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and let it thicken and reduce for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Optional Mushroom Topping: If desired, spread the cream of mushroom soup evenly over the beef mixture at this point for extra creaminess.
- Assemble Casserole: If your skillet is not oven safe, transfer the beef mixture to a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch casserole dish. Layer the frozen corn over the beef mixture, then sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Top with Tater Tots: Arrange an even layer of frozen tater tots over the cheese layer.
- Bake: Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
- Add Remaining Cheese: Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese on top, and return to the oven to bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with chopped chives and crispy bacon or bacon bits before serving for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- Ensure to drain the grease from the beef mixture carefully to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Adding cream of mushroom soup is optional but adds extra creaminess to the dish.
- You can customize by adding different vegetables such as mushrooms or green beans if desired.
- Use a cast iron skillet if oven-safe for easier preparation and cleanup.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated; the tater tots may lose some crispness upon reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: tater tot casserole, ground beef casserole, cheesy casserole, easy dinner recipes, comfort food
