What does every Crazy Busy Mama need? An easy dinner recipe like this Tater Tot Casserole that even the pickiest eaters will love!
This Tater Tot Casserole Recipe is definitely one of my kiddos favorites! AND it checks all the boxes! No more picky eaters waking up hungry because you made a delicious (but not according to them) dinner for your family! And one of the best things about this recipe is I bet you have most of the ingredients in your pantry and freezer! So set out that ground beef to thaw, because tonight.. we are making TATER TOT CASSEROLE!!
If you haven't seen my hacks for freezing ground beef, you are missing huge time savers that every Crazy Busy Mama needs!
First, you can brown your ground beef and then freeze it. It will be good for about 3-4 months in the freezer! Then you can just add it in to whatever recipe that calls for cooked ground beef! Yup, you heard that right! Spaghetti, Tacos, this casserole! You can just use frozen ground beef that you have already cooked! It is also good in the fridge for 3-4 days, so if you have the time to make spaghetti on a Sunday, go ahead and cook extra ground beef and just divide it up and use the extra for dinner later in the week!
Secondly, if you are freezing raw ground beef that you are buying in bulk (or even in a single 1 pound pack), Use these bag holders to fill the ziplocks and then freeze them flat!! This will save you so much time thawing! No more running frozen ground beef under the tap to help it thaw because you forgot to put it in the fridge the night before! If you put the raw ground beef in a large freezer ziplock, and then flatten it out; it thaw on your counter in no time! This also saves a ton of space in your freezer, which is a huge plus! I mean how does the freezer get full so quickly? It seems as Crazy Busy Mamas we are always running out of space!
You can see this hack for freezing ground beef here!
Okay so back to this delicious Tater Tot Casserole Recipe! Let's grab the ingredients and get cooking!
Ingredients for Tater Tot Casserole
How to make Tater Tot Casserole: ingredients you need!
1 lb of ground beef
1 1/2 Tbsp Garlic Powder
1 Tbsp Onion Powder
10.5 oz 1 can cream of mushroom
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups of cheddar
15 oz Tater Tots
Tater Tot Casserole Video Tutorial
How to Make Tater Tot Casserole
How to make Tater Tot Casserole: a step by step guide
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375
Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef. If you don't have a Meat Masher like this, GET ONE! It is a must for all Crazy Busy Mama's! I use it for almost everything!
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Add the diced onions or use powder and cook until they soften, about 3-4 minutes. Season with all spices. Drain any excess fat from the beef. For easy mess free grease removal, check out my paper towel hack!
Step 3: Combine with Cream Sauce
Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream, mixing well with the beef. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the mixture to heat through.
Step 4: Layer in the Casserole Dish
Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom.
Step 5: Add Cheese Layer
Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture.
Step 6: Add Tater Tots
Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese, covering the entire surface.
Step 7: Bake the Casserole
Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
Step 8: Final Cheese Layer
Remove the casserole from the oven and top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Return it to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 9: Serve
Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
ENJOY!
Tater Tot Casserole Side Idea
We love to enjoy this casserole with a side of green beans! I have a yummy Green Bean & Potato side dish you can check out! Just omit the potatoes unless you want double potatoes!
It is also absolutely delicious with my Strawberry Blueberry Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette! In my book, you can't beat a yummy salad as a side dish!
CRAZY BUSY MAMA TIP
For easy mess free grease removal after browning ground beef, use a paper towel and soak up the grease from the skillet!!
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Mama, If you give this recipe a try and love it, I’d be thrilled if you could leave a comment and a 5-star rating below! Your feedback not only makes my day but also helps me understand what kinds of recipes you'd like to see more of.
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More Easy Casserole Recipes!
Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
Cheeseburger Casserole with Potatoes (VIDEO)
French Onion Casserole (VIDEO)
Love This Recipe? Wait Until You See What’s in My Crazy Busy Mama Cookbooks!
You’ll never stress over the “what’s to eat” question again! Because they’re filled with quick easy recipes that you’ll whole family will love (And they may even help you make).
From easy weeknight dinners to crave-worthy desserts, my cookbooks are packed with simple, delicious recipes and tips to save your sanity. It’s like having me right there in your kitchen, guiding you through stress-free meals your family will rave about.
Ready to reclaim your mealtime mojo? Grab a Crazy Busy Mama Cookbook now and let’s cook up some magic together!
Tater Tot Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb of ground beef
- 1 1/2 Tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1 Tbsp Onion Powder
- 10.5 oz 1 can cream of mushroom
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 cups of cheddar
- 15 oz Tator Tots
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375
Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Add the diced onions or use powder and cook until they soften, about 3-4 minutes. Season with all spices. Drain any excess fat from the beef. Use paper towel back
Step 3: Combine with Cream Sauce
- Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream, mixing well with the beef. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the mixture to heat through.
Step 4: Layer in the Casserole Dish
- Grease a casserole dish and spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom.
Step 5: Add Cheese Layer
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture.
Step 6: Add Tater Tots
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese, covering the entire surface.
Step 7: Bake the Casserole
- Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
Step 8: Final Cheese Layer
- Remove the casserole from the oven and top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Return it to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 9: Serve
- Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
Video
Nutrition
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