Midwest Tater Tot Casserole (Printable)

Hearty ground beef and vegetable bake topped with crispy golden tater tots and cheddar cheese.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef, 85% lean

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cups frozen corn kernels
04 - 1 cup frozen peas

→ Sauces & Dairy

05 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk
07 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Pantry & Seasonings

08 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
09 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
10 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt

→ Topping

12 - 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and chopped onion until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
03 - Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix well to distribute seasonings evenly.
04 - Pour condensed cream of mushroom soup and milk into the skillet. Stir until combined and smooth. Add frozen corn kernels and frozen peas, mixing thoroughly.
05 - Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
06 - Arrange frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the entire surface of the casserole, covering the cheese completely.
07 - Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes, or until tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
08 - Remove from oven and let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set for easier scooping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything comes together in one pan with zero fancy techniques required
  • The combination of creamy beef filling and crispy tots hits every comfort craving
  • It feeds a crowd and tastes even better as leftovers the next day
02 -
  • Draining the ground beef thoroughly prevents the casserole from becoming greasy
  • Do not cover the casserole while baking or the tater tots will steam instead of crisp
  • The baking time may vary slightly depending on how crowded your oven is
03 -
  • Arrange tater tots in neat rows for a photogenic top or toss them on casually for rustic charm
  • Let the casserole rest 5 to 10 minutes before serving so portions hold together better

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