Tater tot casserole recipe with cream of mushroom soup

This tater tot casserole is classic comfort food packed with savory ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, and crunchy tater tots.

This recipe is incredibly easy to make, budget-friendly, and can feed a hungry crowd in a flash.

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Tater tot casserole has a bed of crunchy tater tots with cheesy and meaty filling underneath. 

You’ll love how the tater tots give the casserole such playful textures. Crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside, for the win!

The filling, which is a mix of ground beef, veggies, cheese, and cream of mushroom is everything!

With its rich and savory flavors, this casserole is the epitome of comfort food.

Best of all, this recipe calls only for simple ingredients and comes together in just 35 minutes!

Tips & Tricks for Making the Best Tater Tot Casserole

• Use the right size of dish to bake this casserole. A 12×8-inch dish works perfectly here. It should be filled ¾ of the way once you’re done with all the layers.
  • If it’s too small, the liquid will bubble over the top.
  • If it’s too big, the liquid will evaporate and dry out the casserole.

• If the beef mixture is too dry, try adding half a cup of milk. You can also double the mushroom soup. This way, your casserole will turn out extra moist and tasty.

• Be sure to spray the dish with cooking oil to make cleaning up easier. After a hearty dinner, the last thing you want to do is struggle with the dishes, right?

Recipe Variations

• Change the soup flavor to make a whole new dish. This recipe calls for a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup, but you can use whatever canned soup you want. Cream of bacon, broccoli, or chicken soup all sound good!

• Feel free to use whatever cheese you like best! As long as it’s melty, you’re good. Colby Jack, Cheddar, or American all work well. You can also try any combination of these cheeses.

• Add some garlic to the beef to give it even more flavor. Or just use some garlic powder to keep it simple.

• Sneak in a few veggies for a healthier casserole that the kids will still enjoy. Broccoli, carrots, mushroom, and corn all work well in this casserole.

• Choose a leaner protein to keep the fat content low. Ground turkey works really well instead of beef for a healthy alternative. Or you could use a tofu substitute and keep it veggie-friendly.

• Give your casserole a sweet and smoky flavor by using barbecue sauce instead of ketchup. This simple swap makes a huge difference.

• Add chipotle pepper and/or jalapeños to amp up the heat. Add as many as your heart desires!

• Top the tots with bacon for extra crunch. Because everything is better with bacon!
• Make this a delicious breakfast casserole and add sausage meat instead of beef. You may want to cut out the Worcestershire sauce in this case since sausage is pretty salty. You could also opt to use mozzarella since it’s pretty mellow.

How to Store Leftovers

Cover the casserole with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

To reheat, pop it in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Microwave smaller portions for 1-2 minutes on high.

Can I Make Tater Tot Casserole Ahead of Time?

For sure!

Prepare and assemble the layers as instructed in the recipe. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and foil and freeze.

The casserole will keep well for up to 1 month.

When you’re ready to bake, pop it in the oven for about 60-90 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Or, you can thaw it in the fridge overnight first and then bake for 35 minutes.

If you don’t plan on waiting that long, though, just refrigerate the casserole before baking.

BUT, be sure not to add the tater tots just yet, otherwise, they’ll turn soggy. Add the tots only when you’re about to bake.

Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

This tater tot casserole is classic comfort food packed with savory ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, and crunchy tater tots.

Ingredients

• 1 pound 1 ground beef

• 1 medium 1 onion (chopped)

• 1 1 can Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup

• 3 1/2 cups 3 1/2 frozen mixed vegetables

• 1 tablespoon 1 ketchup

• 1 tablespoon 1 Worcestershire sauce

• 3 cups 3 frozen Tater Tots

• 2 Cups 2 Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Directions

• In a large skillet, cook the beef and onion over medium-high heat until the beef is fully browned. Break up the meat as it cooks. Drain off excess liquid.
• In a large bowl mix together the beef mixture with the Campbell’s Soup, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, frozen mixed vegetables, and 1 cup of the shredded cheese.
• Transfer the mixture to a 12×8-inch shallow baking dish. Top the beef with tater tots.
• Bake at 425 degrees F for 20 minutes. Top the casserole with shredded cheese and bake for 5 additional minutes until the cheese is melted. You’ll know it’s done when the tater tots are golden brown and the casserole is bubbling.