Crispy Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe Easy Ground Beef Dinner Idea
A quick and comforting casserole featuring browned ground beef, creamy sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and crispy frozen tater tots baked to golden perfection. Perfect for busy weeknights and crowd-pleasing dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
- 32 oz frozen tater tots
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: fresh parsley or green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a spatula. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for another 4-5 minutes until onions soften and become translucent.
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until flavors meld and excess liquid reduces slightly.
- Transfer the beef mixture to a mixing bowl and stir in the sour cream until fully incorporated.
- Spread the beef and sour cream mixture evenly in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer covering the cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crisp and the cheese is bubbly.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese on top. Return to the oven and broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions if desired.
Notes
For crispier tater tots, broil a few extra minutes but watch closely to avoid burning. Avoid adding too much liquid to the beef mixture to prevent sogginess. Let the casserole rest before serving to set. You can assemble ahead and refrigerate, then bake with a few extra minutes. For dairy-free, substitute sour cream with coconut yogurt and use dairy-free cheese. For vegetarian, replace beef with cooked lentils or plant-based ground meat and use vegetable broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 28
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Protein: 25
Keywords: tater tot casserole, ground beef casserole, cheesy casserole, easy dinner, comfort food, quick casserole, weeknight dinner