Tater Tot Casserole – Ahead of Thyme

This Tater Tot Casserole is classic comfort food that incorporates delicious layers of flavors and textures to please the entire family. In every bite, warm and crispy tater tots with soft centers give way to melted cheese and a creamy mixture of beef and vegetables. This easy to prep, one pot casserole is perfect for family dinners on busy weeknights or any day of the week!

In as little as fifteen minutes, you can get this casserole ready for baking. Simply make the beef mixture, layer the ingredients, and bake! Serve it hot for the most satisfaction and wait for the compliments to roll in. Even the pickiest of eaters will love this comforting meal. Add a side salad or leave it as-is — it’s just as good on its own as it is in a lineup of heartwarming meals.

Why You’ll Love this Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

• Layers of flavor. This hearty tater tot casserole is sure to delight with layers of crispy tater tots, gooey melted cheese, creamy ground beef, and tender veggies in every bite! It comforting and delicious — just how casseroles should be!
• Quick and easy to make. It takes only fifteen minutes of active preparation to get this homemade tater tot casserole in the oven. The hardest part of making this casserole is waiting for it to finish baking while your mouth is watering!
• It is customizable. You can easily customize this potato casserole to suit your taste preferences by substituting with your favorite veggies, switching up the meat, or experiment with different seasoning.
• Perfect for potlucks and carry-ins. Tater tot casserole is an ideal candidate for work functions, potlucks, and other gatherings — it’s inexpensive and easy to make and take! Just cover in aluminum foil and carry in!
• Leftovers are delicious. Leftover tater tot casserole stores well and reheats well. Plus, it tastes just as delicious the next day (if not better!) which makes it a great option for meal prep or to simple enjoy leftovers the next day for lunch or dinner.

Ingredient Notes

To make this delicious and comforting Tater Tot Casserole, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• vegetable oil – any neutral oil can be swapped in such as avocado oil or olive oil.
• ground beef – this recipe calls for ground beef, but you can use virtually any ground protein that you have on hand. Try ground turkey, chicken, or pork.
• onion – white or yellow onions work best, but you can use whatever you have on hand.
• garlic – fresh garlic will impart the best flavor, but you can use a teaspoon of pre-minced garlic for each clove called for in the recipe.
• mixed vegetables – use your favorite blend of frozen veggies such as corn, carrot, peas, or green beans.
• tomato paste – if you don’t have tomato paste, use the same measure of tomato puree or tomato sauce instead.
• Worcestershire sauce – soy sauce and/or white wine vinegar can be substituted for worcesterhsire sauce.
• cream of mushroom soup – if cream of mushroom soup is in short supply, use cream of chicken or cream of celery soup instead.
• cheddar cheese – cheddar can be swapped for Monterey jack or colby jack cheese.
• tater tots – use your favorite brand from the freezer aisle.
• salt and pepper

You will also need measuring cups and spoons and an oven-proof skillet (or a regular skillet and a 3-quart casserole pan).

How to Make the Best Tater Tot Casserole

1. Cook ground beef. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook until browned evenly, about 5-7 minutes. Use a spatula to break the beef into small pieces to help with even browning. 
2. Add aromatics. Add onion and garlic and sauté until tender, about 2 minutes. 

3. Add veggies and sauce. Add frozen vegetables, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce and stir until well combined. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the beef mixture to a 3 quart oval/round baking dish (or 9×13-inch casserole dish) and spread evenly. If you are using an oven-safe skillet then skip this step as you can bake with the same skillet.
4. Add mushroom soup. Pour the condensed mushroom soup evenly over the beef mixture.

5. Add cheese. Top with a layer of cheddar cheese and a final layer of tater tots arranged symmetrically and evenly on top.
6. Bake. Bake in a 375F preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until golden brown and cheese has melted completely and sauce is bubbly. Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes and serve warm.

How to Serve

This Tater Tot Casserole is delicious served on its own as a complete meal packed with protein, veggies, and starch. Or make your meal go further by pairing it with some complementary side dishes including:

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Once the tater tot casserole has cooled completely, cover the pan tightly with plastic cling wrap or transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

How to Reheat

Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350℉ for 20-30 minutes or until warmed through.

How to Freeze

Transfer to a freezer-safe container and wrap tightly in plastic cling wrap and a layer of aluminum foil before freezing for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and serving.

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