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Cozy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe Easy Cheesy Beef Filling Dinner

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A comforting casserole featuring a juicy, cheesy beef filling topped with crispy golden tater tots, perfect for family dinners and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild)
  • 1 bag (32 ounces / 900g) frozen tater tots
  • 1 can (10.5 oz / 300g) cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) milk (whole milk preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
  • 1/2 cup (75g) frozen peas (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 4 minutes.
  4. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and pepper to taste. Add frozen peas if using. Mix well and cook for another 2 minutes.
  5. In a mixing bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup and milk until smooth. Pour over the beef mixture in the skillet and stir to combine evenly.
  6. Remove skillet from heat and fold in 1 1/2 cups (about 150g) shredded cheddar cheese until melted and incorporated.
  7. Transfer the beef mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Top with remaining 1/2 cup (50g) cheddar cheese, then arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top.
  8. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until tater tots are golden brown and crispy and filling is bubbly. If tots brown too fast, loosely cover with foil and continue baking.
  9. Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Drain excess beef fat to prevent greasiness. Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese for better melting. For extra crispy tots, broil casserole for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely to avoid burning. Assemble casserole ahead and refrigerate overnight for convenience. Freeze unbaked casserole for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: tater tot casserole, cheesy beef casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/cozy-tater-tot-casserole-recipe-easy-cheesy-beef-filling-dinner/