Looking for an easy dinner that the whole family will actually eat? This classic tater tot casserole is pure comfort food — made with just a handful of common ingredients like ground beef, shredded cheese, and frozen tater tots. It’s kid-friendly, budget-friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights when you need a complete meal with minimal effort.
Whether it’s your first time making a tater tot hotdish or you’ve been serving this up for years, this version is a guaranteed hit. Bonus: it only takes a few minutes of prep, and you can customize it easily with veggies, spices, or extra cheese.
We are sharing tips to help you get the best results when making this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and printable recipe card.
⭐ Why You’ll Love this Recipe ⭐
This easy casserole recipe has everything: crispy tater tots, creamy beef, gooey cheese, and simple steps. It’s perfect for family reunions, potlucks, or just a cozy hot dish on a cold night. One family member always asks for seconds—and the rest of the cheese never goes to waste.
🧂 Ingredients You’ll Need
📌 Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with quantities and step-by-step instructions!
- Ground beef (or swap with ground turkey)
- Cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken soup)
- Corn
- Salt and black pepper
- Frozen tater tots
- Shredded cheddar cheese (or use colby jack or sharp cheddar)
🔪 How to Make Tater Tot Casserole
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Add soup and seasonings.
- Spread into a baking dish, top with frozen tater tots, and sprinkle on cheese.
- Bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 30-45 minutes.
🥣 Serve It With
Pair your easy tater tot casserole recipe with a simple side dish like green beans or a garden salad. It’s also great with a dollop of sour cream, a drizzle of homemade ranch, or a few slices of fresh jalapeños if you want a kick.
🔁 Variations to Try
Add a can of green beans or beef broth for extra flavor
Mix in fresh herbs, Italian seasoning, or Worcestershire sauce
Use hash browns instead of tater tots for a twist
Swap the soup for cream of chicken or mix two cream soups together
🧊 Storage Tips
Let the entire casserole cool. Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrap the dish in plastic wrap. Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
More Delicious Recipes To Try
Tater Tot Casserole (The Family Favorite You’ll Crave Weekly)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or swap with ground turkey
- 10.5 ounce cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup
- 1 can corn drained
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 16 ounce frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or use colby jack or sharp cheddar
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a casserole dish or 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground meat over medium-high heat until it’s fully browned and crumbled, about 7–10 minutes. If needed, drain excess grease with a slotted spoon.
- Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, corn, a sprinkle of garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create a creamy meat mixture.
- Transfer the mixture to your prepared oven-safe skillet or baking dish. Spread into an even layer.
- Arrange the regular tater tots in a single layer across the top of the beef mixture.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly across the top of the tater tots.
- Bake uncovered for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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