Ground beef, cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, and crispy tater tots — this easy Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole is the comfort food you need tonight.
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Okay, so… real talk? This Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole wasn’t born from some Pinterest-perfect moment. Nope.
It happened on one of those nights. You know the vibe. Work ran late. The fridge wasn’t exactly stocked. Everyone’s hungry. And honestly? The thought of cooking something complicated sounded… awful.
That’s when I did what I always do in a food emergency — I played a quick round of “What’s in the fridge and pantry?” Spoiler: not much. Ground beef? Yep. Some onion? Hanging on for dear life. Cheese? Of course (this is me we’re talking about). Oh, and deep in the freezer? That glorious, slightly frosted bag of tater tots. Jackpot.
Fifteen minutes later — give or take a mini meltdown when I couldn’t find the can opener — I shoved it all in the oven and hoped for the best.
And guys… when I pulled that casserole out? It wasn’t just good. It was hug-you-from-the-inside-out good. Creamy, cheesy, crispy on top, and straight-up comforting. Like wearing sweatpants while binge-watching your favorite show comforting.
So now? This recipe? It’s my ride or die for hectic nights and anytime I want something that just feels good. Trust me — you’ll get it after the first bite.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe?
Look, casseroles can be hit or miss. Some are boring. Some are fussy. And some — like this one — are exactly what you didn’t know you were craving.
Here’s why this Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole hits the sweet spot:
First off, it’s easy. Like, no culinary degree required. You brown some beef, layer a few things, and let the oven do the magic. Done and done.
Then, the texture. The creamy beef and soup layer + gooey melted cheddar + golden crispy tater tots? It’s the combo you didn’t know your taste buds needed but will immediately fall for.
And let’s not forget — this casserole is endlessly customizable. Want to toss in veggies? Go for it. Craving spice? Add it. Feeling lazy? Keep it basic and still win dinner.
Basically, this dish is a no-brainer comfort food win. Not perfect. Not fancy. Just so good.
Ingredient Notes:
Nothing complicated here, I promise. Everything plays a role, though:
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Ground Beef — I use 1 1/2 pounds. Anything lean works, but if it’s a little fatty? That’s okay. More flavor.
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Onion — One small guy. Diced. Adds that subtle sweetness when sautéed.
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Seasoned Salt — Just trust me. Makes everything pop.
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Sharp Cheddar Cheese — The sharper the better. Mild cheese kinda gets lost here.
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Cream of Chicken Soup — Classic. Makes everything creamy and cozy. Could you make homemade? Sure. Will I ever? Probably not.
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Frozen Tater Tots — No need to thaw. Straight from freezer to casserole, baby.
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More Seasoned Salt — Because tots deserve love too.
How To Make Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole?
Ready? Let’s do this step-by-step so you can’t mess it up. Not that you would… but hey, life happens.
Step 1: Brown the beef and onion.
Toss them in a skillet. Cook until the beef is nice and brown and the onion is soft and sweet-smelling. Drain it if you want — I don’t always. Depends how lazy I’m feeling, honestly.
Step 2: Build your casserole.
Spread that beef mixture into your casserole dish (I use a 9×9). Sprinkle a little seasoned salt over it. Smells good already, right?
Step 3: Add the cheddar.
Next up, cheese. And yes — pile it on. There’s no such thing as too much cheese here.
Step 4: Pour the soup.
Grab that can of cream of chicken soup. Pour it over the cheese. It’ll look messy. That’s okay. Messy means delicious.
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Step 5: Tater tot time.
Line up those tots like little crispy soldiers. Or just dump them on haphazardly if you’re in a rush (been there, done that). Sprinkle more seasoned salt on top.
Step 6: Bake + crisp.
Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes. Then? Remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes until those tots are golden and crispy. This is the magic moment right here.
Step 7: Serve + enjoy.
Dish it up while it’s hot and melty. No waiting. No garnish necessary (unless you’re fancy — go ahead and add some green onions).
Storage Options:
This casserole keeps like a champ. Just cover tightly or store in an airtight container. It’ll last 3 days in the fridge, easy.
Reheat in the oven if you care about crispy tots (you should). Microwave works too but… you know, soggy tots aren’t the vibe.
Freezing? Absolutely. Once cooled, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat when the craving hits. Easy.
Variations and Substitutions:
Make this recipe yours. Seriously.
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Switch up the soup — Cream of mushroom or cheddar soup both rock.
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Try different cheese — Mozzarella, pepper jack, or whatever’s in your fridge.
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Add veggies — Peas, corn, green beans… if it’s frozen, it’s fair game.
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Spice it up — Red pepper flakes or jalapeños if you like heat.
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Use different meat — Ground turkey or chicken works. I’ve even used leftover pulled pork once. Don’t judge. It was awesome.
What to Serve with Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole?
Honestly? It holds its own. But if you wanna jazz it up:
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Simple green salad — Fresh and crunchy for balance.
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Steamed veggies — To convince yourself you’re eating healthy.
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Garlic bread — Because carbs on carbs is a vibe.
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Fruit salad — Light, sweet, and refreshing.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this ahead?
Yep! Assemble everything but the tots. Add them just before baking so they stay crispy.
Do I have to use tater tots?
Honestly? Yes. That crispy topping is everything. Fresh potatoes won’t give you that magic.
Does it freeze well?
Sure does. Bake, cool, wrap tight, and freeze. When ready, defrost and reheat.
So, what do you think? Ready to dive into a big, cheesy, crispy, hug-in-a-dish casserole tonight? This Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole isn’t fancy. It’s not trendy. But you know what? It delivers. Every single time.
If you try it, I’d love to know — did you stay classic or put your own twist on it? Drop your version in the comments and let’s swap comfort food ideas!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 10-ounce can of cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 lb. frozen tater tots
- 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
Instructions
- Start by cooking the ground beef and diced onion in a skillet until the beef turns brown and the onion becomes soft.
- Spread this beef and onion mixture evenly in a casserole dish measuring 9x9 inches. Then sprinkle it with 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
- Create a layer of cheddar cheese, on top of the beef mixture.
- Evenly pour the cream of chicken soup over the cheese layer.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots on the top making sure they are evenly spread and sprinkle them with the remaining salt.
- Cover the dish, with foil. Bake it at 350°F (175°C) for around 20 minutes.
- After that remove the foil cover. Bake for 5 minutes to achieve a crispy top layer.
- Serve immediately. Savor your Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
