Tater Tot Ground Beef Bake (Printable)

Savory blend of ground beef, mixed vegetables, and crispy tater tots baked golden and topped with cheddar cheese.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)

→ Dairy & Sauces

05 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk
07 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

→ Topping

08 - 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
12 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until browned, breaking into crumbles; drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet; sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in frozen mixed vegetables; cook for 2 minutes.
05 - Add condensed cream of mushroom soup and whole milk; stir until well combined and heated through. Season with salt, black pepper, and paprika if using.
06 - Remove skillet from heat and mix in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
07 - Transfer beef and vegetable mixture evenly into a 9x13-inch baking dish.
08 - Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the mixture.
09 - Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.
10 - Remove casserole from oven, sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar over tater tots, bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until cheese is melted and tater tots are golden brown.
11 - Optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour with pantry staples, making weeknight dinners feel effortless.
  • The contrast between creamy filling and golden, crunchy tater tots hits every texture craving at once.
  • Feeds a crowd without requiring you to stand at the stove, leaving you free to set the table or pour drinks.
02 -
  • Frozen tater tots must stay frozen until baking or they'll absorb moisture and turn soggy instead of crispy—resist the urge to arrange them early.
  • Don't skimp on draining the browned beef; pooled fat makes the final dish taste heavy and separates from the rest of the filling as it bakes.
03 -
  • Don't crowd the baking dish or the filling won't cook evenly; if feeding more than six people, use two dishes rather than stacking ingredients deeper.
  • Save a small handful of tater tots uncooked and fry them separately for a snack while the casserole bakes—a kitchen perk well-earned.
Go Back