Description
This Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole combines ground beef, flavorful spices, a creamy cheese sauce, and veggies baked under a crispy layer of golden tater tots. It’s a comforting, family-friendly one-dish meal perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or potluck.
Ingredients
Scale
Main 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)
Cream Sauce
- 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
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9" x 13" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Brown Beef and Sauté Onions: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pan over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and sauté for 3 minutes until soft. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain excess grease. Stir in minced garlic and all the spices (chili powder, dried parsley, thyme, salt, pepper, smoked paprika) and cook for 1 minute to release aromas.
- Add Flour and Make Cream Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture and cook for 1 minute over medium heat to remove raw flour taste. Reduce heat to low and gradually whisk in 1 cup chicken broth followed by milk. Stir in soy sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, beef bouillon, and Dijon mustard until combined.
- Simmer and Thicken Sauce: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, whisking frequently to prevent lumps, and cook for about 7 minutes or until thickened. The sauce should be quite thick so the tater tots stay on top and do not sink during baking.
- Add Cheese and Vegetables: Remove from heat and stir in ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese until melted, then whisk in sour cream or Greek yogurt. Fold in drained green beans, sweet corn, and frozen peas. If the mixture is too thick, stir in the remaining ¼ cup of chicken broth to loosen it slightly. Adjust salt and pepper to taste if desired.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the beef and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese evenly on top, then arrange an even layer of frozen tater tots over the cheese. You will likely not use the entire bag, use enough to cover the surface.
- Bake: Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F for 45-50 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges. For extra crispy tots, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes watching carefully.
- Final Cheese Layer and Rest: Remove casserole from oven and sprinkle with the remaining cheese if any is left. Return to the oven at 350 degrees F and bake for another 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let casserole cool for 10 minutes before serving.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired for a fresh touch before serving warm.
Notes
- Do not thaw the frozen tater tots before baking to keep them crispy and golden.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- For a creamier texture, use full-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt.
- This casserole can be assembled ahead; store covered without tater tots on top in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Add tater tots just before baking.
- If baking from refrigerated, allow the casserole to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking and add 10-15 minutes to cooking time.
- Broiling at the end enhances crispiness but watch closely to prevent burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
