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Classic Cheesy Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole (Minnesota Hotdish Style)

A split image showing a baked tater tot casserole in a dish and a serving on a plate, both topped with melted cheese.
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Make this easy weeknight dinner, a family friendly meal, featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy sauce, and a topping of crispy tater tots. This hearty casserole is the ultimate comfort food bake.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional, for extra gooeyness)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Brown the ground beef and chopped onion in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Stir the cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into the beef mixture. Cook until heated through, about 3 minutes.
  4. Stir in 3/4 cup of the cheddar cheese until it melts into the mixture. Spread this beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  5. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the beef mixture. Do not thaw the tots first.
  6. Bake for 25 minutes.
  7. Remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup cheddar cheese and the mozzarella cheese (if using) over the tater tots.
  8. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
  9. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before you serve it.

Notes

  • For a crispier topping, you can bake the tater tots for 10 minutes before adding the cheese layer.
  • You can substitute ground turkey for ground beef if you prefer a different protein.
  • This is a great make ahead casserole; assemble completely, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking (add 10-15 minutes to the initial bake time).

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cravybite.link/tater-tot-casserole-classic-cheesy-ground-beef/