Best Tater Tot Casserole

How to Make Tater Tot Casserole

Does your family love tater tots?

They are endangered around our home!

Especially this tater tot nachos recipe...but I digress!

Easy beef and cheese, tater tot casserole is a cheesy, comfort food that has a special, homemade sauce, seasoned beef and amazing spices to pull together the best comfort food casserole for your family!

Several times a week my husband will sneak downstairs when the kids are in bed and preheat the oven.

It’s no secret.

Everyone knows what he’s doing.

He’s baking up a batch of tater tots for a late night snack.

But he doesn’t bake his tater tots any old way.

No ma’am.

He adds the comfort foodie touch.;0)

He always squishes nine tater tots into one rectangle.

Then, he gently places one slice of cheese on top and pops the tater tots back in the oven for about one minute for the ultimate finish.

prepping the tater tots for the casserole

But this tater tot casserole is our secret to indulging in tater tots during the week.

When you add the beef, spices, cheese and the creamy sauce you can excuse yourself for eating tater tots as a meal — not a snack!

Genius, right?

Casseroles are awesome for busy families.

They create a yummy, one-dish meal that you can pop in the oven while you set the table, fix the drinks and throw on pot of coffee.

(We’ve included a video below so you can see just HOW easy it is to throw this casserole together!)

Add a side salad and it’s sort of healthy and balanced…;0)

Easy, beefing cheese, tater tot casserole that families love!

My younger brother broke some incredibly sad news to me about 15 years ago.

He announced the unthinkable.

Grab a tissue.

With trembling hands I type his exact words.

“Alison…. I don’t like casseroles.”

“Not even breakfast casseroles?”

Someone SHOULD have asked.

pouring mixture over tater tots for casserole

And I already know the answer…not EVEN breakfast casseroles.

To this day, we all shed a tear at his dull, mundane life.

I’m sure someone once said, “To live without casseroles is to never truly live.” (Source unknown)

But for the rest of the world who love casseroles, let me ease your mind.

This recipe does not use canned soup.

(CHEERS!!)

the best tater tot casserole recipe

Sure, you can sub my easy, homemade cream soup recipe with a canned version, but trust me — homemade is best.

Of course it’s healthier and cheaper, but it also tastes sooooo much better.

Even my kids know how to make the creamy, homemade sauce now.

You can use in oodles of recipes!

easy tater tot casserole

Tips for Tater Tot Casserole

Want to have tater tots for breakfast?

I’ll tell you a simple switch you can make!

Substitute the beef mixture with a crumbled sausage mixture.

Easy-peasy, right?

easy tater tot casserole recipe

But if you want to wake up to a homemade danish like I do, here’s a recipe for you too!

Oh, and you can make a tater tot casserole in the crock pot!

Here’s an awesome slow cooker recipe you can try for an easy casserole!!

Want Another Tater Tot Casserole Tip?

Don’t forget to take time to bake your tater tots first.

Have you ever eaten mushy tater tots?

So. Not. Yummy.

Bake those cute tots first, then add them to your cheesy casserole.

Best Tips for Making Tater Tot Casserole

Use at least a 2-inch deep 8 or 9 inch baking dish.

You can use a square, rectangle or oblong dish!

I normally use rectangle because I have a big crew to feed!

Use freshly grated cheese.

Freshly grated cheese melts better and definitely tastes better!

If you’re unable to use freshly grated, then choose a better, organic brand.

To Avoid Mess, Use Non stick cooking spray.

Make sure to spray your baking dish with a good quality non-stick cooking spray before assembling your casserole.

This will make clean-up and serving much easier.

Ingredients Needed for Tater Tot Casserole

Before you preheat your oven, make sure you have all the following ingredients:

Ground beef.

stirring ground beef mixture for tater tot casserole

Some people substitute ground sausage.

That’s totally fine too!

Save any extra ground beef to make these stuffed green peppers! You won’t regret it!

Yellow onions.

You can use white if yellow are unavailable!

Shredded Mozzarella and Cheddar Cheese

pouring cheese over tater tot casserole

If you have time to shred these instead of using pre-shredded cheese, I’d recommend doing that.

But sometimes, we use the packaged shredded cheese because we’re in a hurry! :)

Worcestershire sauce

Yes, definitely use this for the best flavor!

Chicken Broth

This is what gives the creamy mixture it’s hearty flavor!

Flour

This is used to thicken up your creamy mixture

Tater Tots

Of course!

It’s the main attraction!

Spices

To add the perfect flavor!

Milk

To give perfect creaminess to the mixture you pour over the tater tots.

More Casserole Recipes

Chicken Casserole

Green Bean Casserole

Southwest Taco Casserole

Crab Rangoon Casserole

Ready to dive in and enjoy a hearty, potatoey, cheesy casserole?

Print out the recipe below!

Be sure to check out our 30 Minute Dinner Recipes Book!

You’ll LOVE it!

easy recipe book

tater tot casserole that's the best

Beef and Cheese Tater Tot Casserole

Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Tater tot fans will LOVE this beef and cheese tater tot casserole that's packed with spices, homemade cream sauce, cheese, beef and tater tots! Indulge in a comfort food ,family-style casserole!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 2½ c. chicken broth
  • ¾ c. flour
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • ¼ tsp. chicken seasoning
  • 1½ c. milk
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 6 c. tater tots

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400˚F.
  2. Place tater tots on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake until golden brown and crispy.
  3. In medium-sized skillet, cook diced onion and ground beef in two tablespoons cooking oil. Cook until beef is no longer pink and onions are tender.
  4. Add Worcestershire sauce and 1/4 cup water and continue cooking for two minutes on low.
  5. In medium saucepan, bring chicken broth and 1/2 cup milk to a low boil. Stir chicken seasoning, flour, salt and paprika in small bowl.
  6. Add flour mixture to the remaining one cup milk and whisk until smooth. Add milky, seasoned mixture to the saucepan. Continue to cook on low for 5 minutes and stir or whisk continually.
  7. Remove from heat.
  8. Place ground beef mixture in bottom of 11 x 7 baking pan.
  9. Sprinkle half of the cheese on top.
  10. Place tater tots on top of cheese.
  11. Pour cream of chicken mixture over tater tots and top with remaining cheese.
  12. Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 grams
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 509Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 1141mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 27g

Nutrition values are estimates only, and are provided only as a courtesy.

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