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A close-up shot of a golden-brown Tater Tot Casserole, perfect for a comforting and hearty meal.

Irresistible Tater Tot Casserole

This Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight meal. Featuring a savory ground beef and vegetable base, topped with crispy tater tots and melted cheddar cheese, it's a family-friendly favorite.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large bowl
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • Spatula or mixing spoon
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the browned ground beef and vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  5. Pour the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  6. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture.
  7. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
  8. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
  9. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots during the last 5 minutes of baking.
  10. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

For a richer flavor, use a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. To prevent a soggy casserole, pre-sauté the vegetables until slightly caramelized and drain the ground beef thoroughly. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.