Description
Seasoned ground beef, creamy soups, diced tomatoes and green chilies, topped with crispy tater tots and melted cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies (like Rotel), undrained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (30 ounce) package frozen tater tots
- 1/4 cup milk or beef broth (if mixture seems too thick)
- Chopped green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until no longer pink (7-10 minutes).
- Drain off any excess grease from the skillet.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook until the onion is softened and translucent (5-7 minutes). Stir occasionally.
- Stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup, condensed cream of chicken soup, and the can of diced tomatoes and green chilies (undrained). Make sure everything is well combined.
- Add the garlic powder and black pepper to the mixture. Stir well to incorporate the seasonings. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- If the mixture seems too thick, add a little milk or beef broth to thin it out. Start with 1/4 cup and add more as needed until you reach your desired consistency.
- Stir in 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Reserve the remaining 1/2 cup for topping the casserole later.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Pour the ground beef mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the meat mixture.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- To ensure the casserole is heated through, you can insert a knife into the center. It should come out hot. The tater tots should be easily pierced with a fork.
- For extra crispy tater tots and a more browned cheese topping, you can broil the casserole for the last 1-2 minutes of baking. Watch it very closely to prevent burning!
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use Different Meat: You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the ground beef.
- Add Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables to the meat mixture, such as diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or corn.
- Spice it Up: For a spicier casserole, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the meat mixture.
- Different Cheese: Experiment with different types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a blend of cheeses.
- Creamy Topping: For a creamier topping, mix sour cream or cream cheese with the shredded cheese before sprinkling it over the tater tots.
- Make it Ahead: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake it. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Individual Casseroles: For individual servings, bake the casserole in muffin tins or ramekins.
- Add Beans: Stir in a can of drained and rinsed black beans or kidney beans for added protein and fiber.
- Use Different Soup: Experiment with different types of condensed soup, such as cream of celery or cream of broccoli.
- Tater Tot Alternatives: If you don’t have tater tots, you can use frozen hash browns or potato wedges.
- Garnish with chopped green onions for a pop of color and fresh flavor. You could also use a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of paprika.
- Serve the tater tot casserole as a main dish with a side salad or steamed vegetables. It’s also great with a side of coleslaw or cornbread.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes