Name: Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 yellow onion, chopped; 3-4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tsp chili powder; 1 tsp dried parsley; ½ tsp dried thyme; ½ tsp salt; ¼ tsp pepper; ¼ tsp smoked paprika; 1 32-oz. bag frozen Tater Tots® (DO NOT THAW); Fresh parsley for garnish (optional); ¼ cup flour; 1¼ cups low sodium chicken broth, divided; 1 cup milk; 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce; 2 tablespoons ketchup; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 2 teaspoons beef bouillon (granulated, base or crushed cubes); 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard; 8 oz. (2 packed cups) freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided; ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt; 1 15 oz. can green beans, drained; 1 cup sweet corn (canned and drained or frozen, not thawed); 1 cup petite frozen peas, not thawed

There's something irresistibly comforting about a warm, bubbly dish topped with golden crispy tater tots, isn't there? This Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe hits all those cozy notes with a rich cream sauce, tender veggies, and sharp cheddar pulling it all together. It’s the kind of meal that always brings smiles around my table, and I think you’ll love making it just as much as I do.

A white rectangular baking dish filled with a layered casserole, the top layer consisting of crispy golden-brown tater tots evenly spread across the surface, melted bright orange cheddar cheese draped over the tater tots, and finely chopped green herbs sprinkled on top as garnish. Underneath, visible layers show a thick, rich brown ground meat and vegetable mixture, including yellow corn. One corner of the casserole is scooped out with a large silver spatula held by a woman's hand, revealing the layers clearly. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with some scattered herbs around it and a beige cloth with blue stripes nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first stumbled upon this Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe when searching for a hearty, fuss-free dinner that both busy weeknights and relaxed weekends would appreciate. What makes it stand out? It’s the perfect balance of creamy, cheesy, and crispy textures, plus a colorful veggie medley tucked right in. Once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s a staple in my kitchen.

Comfort Food Classic: It combines familiar flavors and ingredients, so it feels like a warm, nostalgic hug on a plate.
Easy Prep: Minimal hands-on cooking means you can multitask or relax while it cooks.
Versatile Ingredients: You can swap veggies or adjust seasonings based on what you have on hand.
Flavorful Cream Sauce: The sauce has just the right amount of tang and depth to make every bite rich but balanced.

The dish is a layered casserole in a white baking dish on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a mix of cooked ground meat with visible yellow corn kernels and green peas, creating a chunky textured base. Above it is a layer of rice mixed with the meat and vegetables. The top layer consists of golden brown tater tots arranged closely together, covered with melted bright orange cheddar cheese that is shiny and slightly bubbly. There are small green parsley pieces sprinkled on top, adding color contrast. A metal serving spoon is scooping one portion from the dish, showing the layers clearly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe plays its part to perfect the whole. From ground beef’s hearty base to the sharpness of cheddar cheese, the components come together in harmony. Here’s a quick scoop on why I trust these ingredients for consistent, tasty results:

Flat lay of a mound of fresh lean ground beef, a small pool of golden olive oil in a white ceramic bowl, a yellow onion whole and uncut, three uncracked garlic cloves, small white bowls with chili powder, dried parsley, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika powders, a loose pile of frozen golden tater tots, fresh sprigs of parsley, a white ceramic bowl with pale flour, a white bowl containing light golden chicken broth, another white bowl with fresh whole milk, a small white bowl with dark amber soy sauce, a small white bowl with vibrant red ketchup, a white bowl with dark Worcestershire sauce, a little white bowl with coarse beef bouillon granules, a white bowl with bright yellow Dijon mustard, a neat heap of freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, a white bowl holding smooth white sour cream, a small cluster of fresh green beans, a small mound of bright yellow corn kernels, a small pile of petite frozen green peas, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Lean Ground Beef: Provides savory richness without too much grease, helping the flavors shine.
Olive Oil: For sautéing onions and beef, adding just a hint of fruitiness.
Yellow Onion: Offers sweetness and depth after a good sauté, elevating the beef’s flavor.
Garlic: Gives that warm aroma and classic undertone we all love in comfort food.
Chili Powder, Dried Parsley, Thyme, Smoked Paprika: A blend of spices that adds earthiness and subtle heat, lifting the entire dish.
Frozen Tater Tots: The crown jewel—crispy on top and soft inside without any extra frying.
Flour: Essential for thickening the creamy sauce to just the right consistency.
Chicken Broth & Milk: The sauce base that blends richness with savory notes.
Soy Sauce, Ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce, Beef Bouillon, Dijon Mustard: This combo surprises and delights by layering umami, tang, and depth.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds that classic cheddar punch.
Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: Creaminess with a slight tang that balances the sauce perfectly.
Green Beans, Sweet Corn, Peas: Adds color, texture, and a bit of freshness, making it a one-dish wonder.
Fresh Parsley (optional): For a bright, herbaceous finish that’s just as pretty as it is tasty.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the reasons this Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe feels like such a winner is how easy it is to change up. I love riffing on it depending on the season or what’s in my fridge. You can truly make it your own and still get that comforting, cheesy goodness every time.

Variation: Personally, I’ve swapped green beans for roasted Brussels sprouts or sautéed mushrooms when I want a bit more earthiness—the casserole adapts beautifully.
For a lighter version: Use ground turkey in place of beef and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to keep the creaminess but reduce fat.
Spice it up: Add a dash of red pepper flakes or cayenne if you like a little heat. I like this tweak for a cozy kick.
Make it vegetarian: Replace the meat with sautéed lentils or mushrooms, and swap chicken broth for veggie broth.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics and Brown the Beef

Start by heating olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the chopped onions and let them soften for about 3 minutes—you’ll smell that sweetness start to develop. Next, add the ground beef and break it up with your spoon as it browns. Once it's cooked through, drain any excess grease so your casserole doesn't get too oily. Stir in the minced garlic along with chili powder, parsley, thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, cooking just until fragrant—about a minute. This layering of flavors upfront really sets the stage for all the goodness to come.

Step 2: Make the Creamy Sauce

Sprinkle the flour evenly over the beef mixture and stir well, letting it cook for about a minute to eliminate the raw flour taste. This small step is key because it creates that luscious cream sauce we all crave. Turn the heat down to low and gradually whisk in one cup of the chicken broth, followed by the milk. Add the soy sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, beef bouillon, and Dijon mustard—these ingredients sneak in extra layers of bold, savory flavor you wouldn't expect but that make a world of difference.

Step 3: Simmer Until Thickened

Keep whisking gently and let the sauce reach a gentle simmer. This part takes about 7 minutes, and patience here is key. Watch it thicken—this is the consistency you'll want before you bake. Trust me, if it’s too runny, the tater tots will sink and get mushy, which we definitely want to avoid. You want a thick, creamy sauce that holds its structure and battles the tots for the top spot.

Step 4: Fold in Cheese and Veggies

Once off the heat, stir in half a cup of freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese until it’s melted and silky. Then, fold in the sour cream or Greek yogurt for that perfect tang and creaminess. Toss in the drained green beans, corn, and peas. If your mixture feels a little too thick now, stir in up to a quarter cup more chicken broth to keep it saucy—but not watery. Give it a final taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. This is where you make it perfect for your palate.

Step 5: Assemble and Top with Tater Tots

Spoon the beef and veggie mixture into your greased 9"x13" baking dish. Sprinkle another half cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Now for the fun part: arrange the frozen tater tots in an even single layer on top of everything. Don’t thaw the tots—keeping them frozen ensures that crispy golden topping we all dream about. You probably won’t need the full bag; just enough to cover nicely.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake the casserole at 350°F for about 45 to 50 minutes, until the tater tots are golden and crispy at the edges, and you see bubbling around the sides. If you’re a fan of extra-crispy tots like me, feel free to broil for a minute or two—but watch carefully to prevent burning. The aromas at this point? Absolutely mouthwatering.

Step 7: Final Cheese Layer and Rest

Sprinkle the last half cup of cheddar on top and slide back into the oven for another 5 minutes or until the cheese melts into that gooey, cheesy finish we all crave. Once out of the oven, let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This pause helps everything set up nicely, so you get neat servings and all the layers shine through. If you want to add a pop of freshness, a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley works beautifully here.

Top Tip

From my experience, the difference between a good and a great cheesy tater tot casserole is all in the sauce and the layering of flavors. These tips kept me out of kitchen flops and helped me nail this recipe every time.

Don’t Skip the Sauté: Cooking the onions and garlic thoroughly before adding beef infuses the whole dish with natural sweetness and rich aroma.
Simmer Sauce Properly: Let it thicken on the stove top because the oven won’t thicken it any further once baked.
Keep Tots Frozen: Adding frozen tots on top prevents sogginess and ensures their signature crispy texture after baking.
Rest Before Serving: Give the casserole time to set—it makes scooping easier and improves texture.

How to Serve Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

cheesy tater tot casserole - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with chopped fresh parsley right before serving—it adds a nice, fresh pop of color and a subtle herbaceous note that cuts through the richness just a bit. Some days I sprinkle a little extra sharp cheddar or even crumbled cooked bacon on top for that extra indulgence.

Side Dishes

This casserole is quite the full meal but pairing it with a crisp green salad or roasted veggies balances out the meal beautifully. Sometimes I add a side of steamed broccoli or a bright tomato salad with a zesty vinaigrette to lighten things up.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners or potlucks, I’ve tried assembling individual portions in oven-safe ramekins topped with mini tater tots for a personal touch. It looks charming and makes serving a breeze. You could also garnish with colorful bell pepper slices or sprinkle finely diced red onion for a vibrant look.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I cover the casserole tightly with foil or plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. Leftovers keep well up to 3 days. When reheating, I find that reheating individual servings in the oven or toaster oven keeps the tots crispier than a microwave, but the microwave works well in a pinch.

Freezing

If I want to prep in advance, I assemble everything except the tater tots and freeze the casserole in a freezer-safe dish. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight and add fresh frozen tots on top before baking. This method keeps the tots much crispier versus freezing the whole assembled dish.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to life, I cover the casserole loosely with foil and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until warmed through. For that crispy top, I remove the foil for the last 5 minutes. This reheating method revives the casserole’s textures best.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen tater tots?

Fresh potatoes don’t work quite the same because tater tots are specially processed to retain their shape and get crispy when baked. Using fresh potatoes would require parboiling and crisping separately, changing the simplicity of this recipe.

What can I substitute if I don’t have Worcestershire sauce?

A mix of soy sauce and a little balsamic vinegar or lemon juice works well as a substitute. It adds the umami and slight tang that Worcestershire sauce provides without overpowering the flavors.

Can I make this casserole vegetarian?

Absolutely! Swap the ground beef for sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or a plant-based meat substitute, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The rest of the ingredients and steps stay the same, making it an easy swap for meatless meals.

What’s the best way to keep the tater tots crispy after baking?

Adding frozen tater tots directly on top of the casserole right before baking is key. Avoid thawing them to maintain their structure and crispiness. Also, broiling the casserole for a couple of minutes at the end can help give an extra crunch to the tots.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe feels like a warm kitchen memory in the making. It’s one of those dishes I reach for when I want something satisfying, easy, and crowd-pleasing. The way the crispy tots and creamy, cheesy sauce come together is pure magic. Give it a try, tweak it to your taste, and make it your own—I'm confident it’ll become a favorite in your household, just like it did in mine.