Description
Hearty cheeseburger tater tot casserole delivers classic comfort with ground beef, crispy potatoes, and melted cheese. Midwest home cooking shines through this simple, satisfying meal that families crave.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 32 ounces (907 grams) frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Dairy and Creamy Ingredients:
- 10.5 ounces (298 grams) cheddar cheese condensed soup
- 8 ounces (227 grams) sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 cup bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat, continuously breaking apart the meat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat thoroughly.
- Enhance the beef’s flavor by incorporating Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Combine condensed cheddar cheese soup, sour cream, crumbled bacon, and milk with the seasoned beef, mixing until the ingredients create a uniform consistency.
- Transfer the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even layer across the pan’s surface.
- Sprinkle frozen tater tots and shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture, gently folding to coat the tots with the creamy base.
- Distribute the casserole ingredients uniformly to guarantee consistent cooking and bake for 40-45 minutes until the edges become golden and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving hot, allowing flavors to settle and casserole to set slightly.
Notes
- Customize Proteins: Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version of this hearty casserole.
- Reduce Sodium: Use low-sodium condensed soup and reduce added salt to make the dish more heart-friendly and diet-conscious.
- Boost Nutrition: Sneak in finely chopped vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini into the beef mixture to increase the nutritional value without compromising taste.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the casserole up to a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Simply bake when ready to serve, perfect for busy weeknight meals or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg