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Crispy Tater Tot Casserole with Cheesy Beef Filling

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A quick and easy comfort food casserole featuring a savory cheesy beef filling topped with crispy golden tater tots. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (85% lean preferred)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup beef broth (low sodium recommended)
  • 1/3 cup sour cream (small-curd or Greek yogurt as substitute)
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 bag (about 32 oz) frozen tater tots
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Optional: 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Stir in the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the onion softens and smells fragrant.
  4. Pour in the beef broth, sour cream, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine. Let simmer gently for 5 minutes to thicken slightly, adding more broth if too dry.
  5. Pour the beef mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch casserole dish and spread smoothly.
  6. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef layer.
  7. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese, covering the entire surface.
  8. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar and optional Parmesan cheese evenly over the tater tots.
  9. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the cheese is bubbly.
  10. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Keep tater tots frozen when layering to ensure crispiness. Tent with foil if cheese browns too quickly. Let casserole rest before serving to keep layers intact. Substitute ground beef with turkey, chicken, plant-based crumbles, or lentils for dietary variations. Use gluten-free ketchup and broth for gluten-free version.

Nutrition

Keywords: tater tot casserole, cheesy beef casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, crispy tater tots, ground beef recipe

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/crispy-tater-tot-casserole-with-cheesy-beef-filling-easy-recipe-for-comfort-food-fans/