Tater tot casserole is a classic comfort food dish made with just a handful of simple ingredients. At its core, this casserole consists of tater tots, ground beef, and cheese, though there are many variations on the classic recipe.
Main Ingredients
Here are the main ingredients that go into making a basic tater tot casserole:
- Tater Tots – Tater tots are the star ingredient in this dish. They form the topping layer that gets perfectly crispy in the oven.
- Ground Beef – Ground beef provides protein and flavor to the casserole. Usually 1-2 pounds of ground beef is browned and seasoned.
- Cheese – Shredded cheddar or Colby jack cheese helps bind the ingredients together and gives the casserole its ooey, gooey texture.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup – Cream of mushroom soup acts as the sauce for the ground beef and other ingredients. Condensed canned soup is usually used.
In addition to these core ingredients, tater tot casserole recipes often include:
- Onion – Diced or minced onion is cooked with the ground beef to add flavor.
- Garlic – Minced garlic can be cooked with the beef and onion.
- Vegetables – Corn, peas, carrots, or green beans are commonly added.
- Seasonings – Salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, or other seasonings.
How to Make Tater Tot Casserole
Here is an overview of the basic steps for making classic tater tot casserole:
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet along with onions, garlic, and any vegetables until the beef is cooked through and vegetables are tender. Drain excess fat.
- Transfer the cooked beef mixture to a casserole dish. Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and any additional seasonings.
- Top with a layer of shredded cheese, covering the mixture evenly.
- Top with a single layer of tater tots, covering the cheese. The tots may overlap slightly.
- Bake at 350°F for 45-60 minutes until hot and bubbly. The tater tots should be crispy on top when finished baking.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving. Garnish with extra shredded cheese, green onions, bacon bits, or sour cream if desired.
The exact baking time will vary based on the size of your casserole dish. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. Make sure the center and edges are hot before removing from the oven.
Key Tips
Here are some key tips to ensure tater tot casserole success:
- Use extra lean or lean ground beef. This helps prevent the casserole from being too greasy.
- Spread the tater tots out in an even layer on top. This helps them get extra crispy.
- Allow the casserole to rest 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows it to firm up.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave.
- Replace the mushroom soup with cream of chicken or celery for variation.
- Use shredded hashbrowns instead of tater tots for a more budget friendly option.
Common Add-Ins
While the core ingredients deliver on the classic taste, you can customize tater tot casserole by mixing in any of these ingredients:
| Meat | Vegetables | Seasonings & Sauces |
|---|---|---|
| Bacon | Broccoli | Ranch dressing |
| Ham | Cauliflower | Taco seasoning |
| Chicken | Spinach | BBQ sauce |
| Sausage | Jalapenos | Sriracha |
| Chorizo | Tomatoes | Curry powder |
Substitutions
If you’re missing an ingredient, here are some simple substitution options:
- Ground Turkey – Replace ground beef with lean ground turkey.
- Cheddar Cheese – Use Colby jack, monterey jack, or gouda instead of cheddar.
- Hashbrowns – Use shredded hashbrowns if you don’t have tater tots.
- Greek Yogurt – Replace cream soup with Greek yogurt for a healthier option.
- Broccoli – Substitute chopped broccoli florets for peas or corn.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some ideas for serving tater tot casserole:
- Garnish with sour cream, bacon bits, chives, or hot sauce.
- Serve with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables.
- Pair with homemade bread or biscuits.
- Top with sauteed mushrooms or caramelized onions.
- Enjoy as is or with ketchup or ranch dressing for dipping.
- Serve with bean salad, coleslaw, or potato salad.
Make it a Meal
Round out your tater tot casserole dinner with these sides:
- Salad – Tossed salad, broccoli salad, wedge salad
- Vegetables – Roasted carrots, green beans, grilled asparagus
- Bread – Dinner rolls, garlic bread, cornbread
- Fruit – Roasted sweet potatoes, baked apples
Leftover Ideas
Transform leftover tater tot casserole into one of these tasty treats:
- Casserole sandwiches – Place tater tots between bread or biscuits.
- Breakfast hash – Cook with potatoes, eggs, and cheese.
- Tater tot nachos – Top with shredded cheese, beans, salsa, etc.
- Stuffed peppers – Fill bell peppers with leftovers.
- Taco salad – Serve on a bed of shredded lettuce.
Nutrition Information
Here are the nutrition facts for 1 serving (1 cup) of basic tater tot casserole:
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| 345 | 18g | 26g | 19g |
Keep in mind nutrition info may vary based on specific ingredients used.
Conclusion
Tater tot casserole brings together comforting flavors and textures like crispy tots, savory beef, and melted cheese. This satisfying family food can be customized endlessly by swapping out ingredients. Follow the basic recipe, then tweak it to suit your family’s tastes. With its simple prep and kid-friendly appeal, tater tot casserole is a forever crowd-pleaser!