Classic Tater Tot Casserole (The BEST!)

a spoon scooping a portion of tater tot casserole out of a casserole dish

Classic Tater Tot Casserole (The BEST!)

Tater tot casserole is a classic baked comfort food made with seasoned ground beef, tender green beans, and a creamy, cheesy sauce, all topped with crispy golden tater tots. Everything is layered in a casserole dish and baked in the oven until hot and bubbly, with the tots turning perfectly crisp on top!

4.5 from 37 votes

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Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 40

Total Time: 1

Servings: 8

Calories: 752kcal

Ingredients

Olive oil (to coat)
2 lbs. ground beef
1 small yellow onion (chopped)
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
1 cup milk
2 cans low sodium green beans
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 32 oz. bag frozen tater tots
Additional Kosher salt (for serving)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a large skillet, heat the Olive oil over medium high heat. Add 2 lbs. ground beef and 1 small yellow onion and spread out over the pan. Brown for 3 minutes, flip, then continue to cook another 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is browned and onions are softened. Drain the fat. Season with 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder. Place meat mixture in the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan or 2 9 inch pie pans or baking dishes.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together cream 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup sour cream, and 1 cup milk. Pour over the hamburger mixture.
Scatter 2 cans low sodium green beans over top of the soup mixture. Scatter 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese over green beans.
Arrange the 1 32 oz. bag frozen tater tots on top of the cheese in tight rows. You might have 2-3 leftover, but you'll use most of the bag. Spray with a vegetable oil or coconut oil spray for extra crispiness, if desired. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and tater tots are browned. If you like your tots to be extra crispy, turn on the broiler and broil for a final 2-3 minutes.

Notes

To make ahead of time, assemble the casserole, leaving the tater tots off the top. Refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw the casserole overnight in the fridge if needed, then add the tater tots on top and bake as usual.
For a vegetarian version replace meat with 2 pounds of fresh sliced mushrooms sauteed in 1 Tablespoon butter and 1 Tablespoon olive oil.

Equipment

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword easy tater tot casserole, green bean tater tot casserole, tater tot casserole

Nutrition