Ground beef, tater tots, cheddar cheese, frozen veggies, sour cream, and cream of celery soup. Dinner in a dish, comfort on a fork.
< 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!
It was a Tuesday. The kind that feels like it should be a Thursday because you’ve lived nine lives since waking up. I was still in leggings from yesterday, the sink was full of dishes I pretended not to see, and dinner? Not happening. I was this close to making cereal and calling it a character-building meal for the kids.
Then I remembered this old recipe for Easy Tater Tot Casserole. My mom made a version of it back when we had a busted microwave, a can of soup in the pantry, and three kids fighting over the last slice of cheese. It was the kind of meal that didn’t try to be fancy—just warm, filling, and something you actually wanted seconds of.
So I threw it together. Nothing precise, just vibes and shredded cheddar. And when I pulled it out of the oven—crispy tots on top, bubbling beef and melty cheese underneath—it felt like a small win. The kind of win you really, really need when the week’s been chewing you up.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe?
Look, I’m not saying this casserole will solve your problems. But it will quiet the chaos for about 30 minutes while everyone’s too busy chewing to complain about their day.
It’s salty, cheesy, crunchy on top, creamy underneath—basically everything good about Midwestern potluck food, but you don’t have to put on pants or make small talk to get it.
Also? You don’t need fancy ingredients or 17 spices or a clean kitchen. You need one pan, a handful of pantry staples, and enough energy to brown beef and line up frozen potatoes. That’s it. Comfort food with no emotional labor.
Ingredient Notes:
Here’s the thing: you don’t need anything fancy to make something great. Honestly, that might be the whole point of this recipe.
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Ground Beef – I go for lean if I have it. If not, I drain the fat and call it good. Turkey or sausage would work too, but ground beef hits a specific comfort note I’m not ready to replace.
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Cream of Celery Soup – Yeah, I know. It sounds like a 1960s church cookbook move. But it just works. I’ve swapped in cream of mushroom when I was out. Still tasted like home.
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Sour Cream + Milk – Brings it all together. I’ve eyeballed these amounts more than once and never regretted it.
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Worcestershire Sauce – The secret little flavor booster. I never measure it. I just give the bottle a dramatic shake and say, “That feels right.”
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Frozen Mixed Veggies – No chopping, no judgment. Just pour ’em in. I usually go with corn, carrots, and peas, but honestly? Whatever’s not freezer-burned.
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Shredded Cheddar Cheese – The more, the better. Sharp is my go-to, but I’ve used mild, Colby-Jack, even a mystery blend from the back of the fridge.
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Tater Tots – The real MVP. Golden, crispy, and nostalgic. I’ve tried this with crinkle fries in a moment of desperation. It wasn’t the same, but it got the job done.
How To Make Easy Tater Tot Casserole?
Step 1: Get Yourself Set Up
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a casserole dish or don’t—honestly, I’ve forgotten and just scraped the crispy bits off later. No regrets.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
Cook your ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until it’s no longer pink. Break it up with a spoon as you go. Drain the fat unless you enjoy that shiny film on top of your casserole. (No judgment, just… texture.)
Step 3: Add the Flavor Stuff
Sprinkle in your seasonings. Add the Worcestershire sauce like you’re doing a dramatic flourish. Stir in the soup, milk, and sour cream until everything looks like a creamy meat hug.
Step 4: Veggies, Meet Beef
Dump the frozen veggies in. Stir them around like you care, even if you’re on autopilot.
Step 5: Layer It Up
Spread the beef mixture in your casserole dish. Cover it with cheese. Then top with your frozen tater tots—line them up like soldiers or just toss them on. I’ve done both depending on how the day’s going.
Step 6: Bake It Till It Bubbles
Want To Save This Recipe?
Bake for 35–40 minutes. If you want crispy tots (and I know you do), broil it for the last 2–3 minutes. But watch it like a hawk. Burnt tots are sad tots.
Step 7: Rest and Eat
Let it sit for 5 minutes. You won’t want to, but your tongue will thank you later.
Storage Options:
If there are leftovers—and honestly, that’s a big if—here’s what to do:
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Fridge: Cover it, keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for crispy tots. Microwave if you’re feeling lazy, but they’ll be soft. Still tasty.
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Freezer: Freeze it after baking. I wrap individual portions in foil and toss them in a freezer bag. Perfect for those “I can’t even” kind of nights.
Variations and Substitutions:
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Swap the soup – Cream of mushroom or chicken works. Even homemade white sauce if you’re ambitious (I’m not).
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Use ground turkey – Or leftover chicken, or whatever’s on sale.
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Add hot sauce or taco seasoning – Give it some kick.
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Top with crushed potato chips or French-fried onions – If you wanna be a little extra.
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Mix in bacon bits or jalapeños – No explanation needed. You get it.
What to Serve with Easy Tater Tot Casserole?
It’s a meal on its own, but if you’re feeling fancy:
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A big green salad – Mostly for balance.
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Pickles – Trust me. The tang cuts the richness.
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Fruit salad or applesauce – Especially if you’ve got kids at the table.
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Biscuits or garlic bread – Because carbs make everything better.
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A cold beer or sweet tea – Or just a root beer. You do you.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make it ahead?
Yep! Assemble it, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready.
Can I use fresh veggies?
Sure can. Just cook them first so they’re not crunchy in a weird way.
Can I double it?
Absolutely. Use a bigger dish or two smaller ones. Feed a crowd or freeze one for later.
This Easy Tater Tot Casserole isn’t the prettiest dish. It’s not trendy. It’s not gluten-free, dairy-free, or kale-adjacent. But it’s warm, it’s comforting, and it shows up when you need it most. And honestly? That’s more than enough.
So if you try it—whether you follow the recipe or wing it with what’s in your fridge—I’d love to hear about it. Did it bring back a memory? Did your kid ask for seconds? Did it rescue your Tuesday?
Tell me. I’m all ears and empty casserole dishes.
< 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:
Easy Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1½ lb lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 10 ounces can cream of celery soup
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ c sour cream
- ¼ c milk
- 1 c frozen mixed vegetables
- 4 c shredded cheddar cheese
- 16 oz frozen tater tots or enough to cover the dish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. And spray a casserole dish. With non-stick spray.
- Cook the ground beef in a large skillet. Over medium-high heat. Until it's no longer pink. Drain any fat if necessary.
- Season the cooked beef with salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce.
- Mix in the cream of celery soup, milk, and sour cream. Until well combined.
- Remove from heat. And stir in the frozen mixed vegetables.
- Spoon the meat mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Top with shredded cheddar cheese. And arrange the tater tots on top.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Until the casserole is heated through. And bubbly. For crispier tots. Broil for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end.
- Let the casserole rest. For about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
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!
