Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole

This quintessential comfort food features a savory ground beef base topped with a crispy, golden layer of tater tots and plenty of melted cheddar cheese.

Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole

Ingredients:

How To Make Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole:

Step 1: Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish by lightly greasing it if desired.

Step 2: Brown the Beef: In a large skillet, cook the 1 lb of ground beef over medium heat until it is thoroughly browned. Drain any excess fat from the pan.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and 2 cloves of minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Continue cooking until the onion is translucent and fragrant.

Step 4: Create the Creamy Base: Stir in the 10 1/2 oz can of cream of mushroom soup and the 1 cup of sour cream. Mix until the sauce is smooth and well combined. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Layer the Casserole: Spread the beef and soup mixture evenly into the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the beef.

Step 6: Add the Tots: Arrange the 32 oz package of frozen tater tots in a neat single layer over the cheese.

Step 7: First Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Step 8: Final Cheese Layer: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the hot tater tots. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the tots are golden.

Step 9: Rest and Serve: Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving to help the layers set.