Tater tot casserole spells the end of any diet you might be on but it is totally worth every bite! Get ready for the perfect combination of crispy tater tots, melty cheese and crunchy onions all baked together.
Tater tot casserole is a total family favorite in our house. Easy to put together and full of flavor, you just can’t find a better recipe for feeding the family on a busy night.
This casserole blends so many great flavors together but is so simple to make! I usually let the kids get involved because, once the beef is all cooked, it is as simple as layering in the ingredients.
This casserole is so versatile too and you can easily add in additional spices and flavors as you see fit. My friend Jessica makes a yummy sloppy joe version which is incredible.
A few other great ways to change this recipe up:
- Switch the cheddar cheese with a swiss or gouda
- Try it with sweet potato tots
- Use cream of celery or cheddar cheese soup in place of the cream of mushroom
- Lighten it up with ground turkey
Whatever way you decide to make this casserole, I guarantee your entire family will be asking for seconds because it is THAT good.
Casserole recipes are always ones I like to include in my weekly meal plan because they are easy to throw together and just heat when we are ready to eat. Or, as I do with this one a lot, I make it and bake it. Then, my family can reheat it when they are ready to eat.
I like to use the extra crispy tater tots for this tater tot casserole. But, if you can’t find them or just prefer the regular ones, both work just well.
If you love this recipe for tater tot casserole, be sure to try these other great family friendly casserole recipes:
- Pasta Casserole
- Greek Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Sloppy Joe Biscuit Bake
- Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Chicken Alfredo Baked Ziti
If you make this tater tot casserole recipe or any other recipe from the blog, I’d love to hear about your experience. Let me know in the comments or snap a photo and tag it #MySuburbanKitchen on Instagram or Twitter.
Tater Tot Casserole
Tater tot casserole is an easy, family-friendly recipe that is perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 32 oz package tater tots
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 tsp oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 10 oz condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 3/4 cup water
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup French's fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray 9x13 cooking dish lightly with cooking spray. Line the bottom of the dish with tator tots and cook for 10 minutes. Reduce overn temperature to 350 degrees.
- Heat 1 tsp of oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain. Set aside.
- Heat remaining 1 tsp oil in pan and saute onion and garlic for about 5 minutes. Add ground beef and stir to combine. Layer on top of tater tots.
- In a medium bowl, mix condensed cream of mushroom soup and water. Stir well. Stir in 1 cup of cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of friend onions.
- Pour soup mixture over tater tots and spread evenly. Top with remaining cheddar cheese and fried onions.
- Bake in 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until heated through and cheese is fully melted.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 561Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 1205mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 27g
Dawn Bauer says
Can’t wait to try it! Thanks!
Shannah Coe says
Oh, let me know how you like it! It is a favorite in our house for sure.
Casey @ Veggies and Glitter says
I love the idea of a “Tasty Treat Thursday.” 🙂 I’m currently working from home, but when I’m back in an office environment, I’m totally going to do that! This recipe look so similar to the “tater tot hot dish” that so many people make in my home state of Minnesota. You’re making me nostalgic. 🙂
Casey @ Veggies and Glitter recently posted…The casual little black dress: options for every woman
Shannah Coe says
Tasty Treat Thursday is so fun. I definitely get to try a lot of delicious things that way without always having to make them myself.
Ave says
Look delicious! Sadly, I think they don’t sell tarter tots here in Spain. The idea of bringing food to work to share, is great!
Ave recently posted…My September Wish List for Sofia
Shannah Coe says
Oh, no tater tots…that sucks. Well, you could always substitute shredded or cubed potatoes and just adjust the cooking times.
Amy Desrosiers says
I so starving right now-yum!! I will make this soon!
Amy Desrosiers recently posted…DIY: Thanksgiving and Harvest Log Candle Holder Centerpiece
Shannah Coe says
Isn’t it so hard reading posts when you are hungry?! I always want everything I see.
Malia says
That looks good! Especially with the french fried onions on top…yum!
Malia recently posted…Baby Shower Gift Guide GIVEAWAY Extravaganza!
Shannah Coe says
Thanks! THe fried onions are definitely my favorite part.
Alecia @ Chicken Scratch NY says
I could never make this because a bag of tatertots never makes it past the door in my house, home from the store and in the oven they go. I’ll pass it on to my husband and have him make it for me instead
Alecia @ Chicken Scratch NY recently posted…Paper Pumpkin Banner – Separate & Duplicate Tips for Silhouette
Shannah Coe says
Haha…tater tots disappear fast in our house too. So funny.
Joanne says
My family loves tater tots! I bet they would love this – thanks for the idea!
Joanne recently posted…Free & Low Cost Cookbooks
Shannah Coe says
I think tater tots were invented for kids because mine definitely love them too. Hope they like this meal.
Christine Lukem says
Wow, I haven’t had tater tots in years! This casserole sounds delicious, so I may need to add it to my meal plan.
Shannah Coe says
Haha…my kids just love tater tots so they are always around in our house.
maria @ close to home says
this looks like a great recipe to bring to a neighbor that just had a baby. perfect and kid friendly.
maria @ close to home recently posted…Amazing Cinnamon Apple Cake–A Cooking Light Recipe
Shannah Coe says
This would be perfect. You could even make it in a foil pan so she had not dishes to wash and return.
Kristin says
I LOVE making this dish! I make it often for my family and they just devour it!
Kristin recently posted…FREE 10” Skillet
Shannah Coe says
Oh so glad your family enjoys it.
Ellen Christian says
My kids would definitely enjoy this. Tater Tots are one of their favorite treats.
Ellen Christian recently posted…Easy Dinner Recipes: Baked Cheeseburger and Mushroom Pasta
Shannah Coe says
Tater tots are a huge favorite in our house too which is why I think this is such a hit. Hope it goes over well in your home too.
Melanie a/k/a CrazyMom says
OMG.. this looks amazing and made me hungry, I soo need to try it, has all my favorite ingredients… YUM.. thanks for sharing, loved your pictures
Melanie a/k/a CrazyMom recently posted…Sunday Brunch #Pumpkin Monkey Bread Pudding #Recipe
Shannah Coe says
Thanks! I definitely love making new {or new to me} recipes and sharing them.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
I love tater tot casserole but I never thought to make it with french fried onions. YUM!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell recently posted…Treasure Hunting: My Daughter’s Geocaching Adventure
Shannah Coe says
The fried onions are definitely my favorite part. I can’t imagine it without them.
brett says
oh i just got some sweet potato tater tots, i wonder if i could use them with it? my family devours tater tots.
Shannah Coe says
Oh, sweet potato tots would be delicious in this too! Great idea.
Carmen's Coupon Blog says
I love this I would just change in a tiny bit with taking out the mushroom soup and adding eggs instead.. that makes me want it now.. lol. I have recently discovered that I can change almost any recipe with substituting stuff I don’t like with stuff I do.. we will see how it turns out for me…
Carmen’s Coupon Blog recently posted…09/09 Daily Coupon Round Up
Shannah Coe says
Oh, I would love to hear how it turns out with the eggs. I definitely like to experiment by substituting for things I don’t like. Hope you give this a try.
Corinne says
This would be a great dish to bring to a potluck since it is definitely kid-friendly. Thanks for the recipe!
Corinne recently posted…Moving Tips
Shannah Coe says
This would be a great potluck dish. It is so easy to make and definitely a crowd pleaser.
Sophie S says
I think I saw this on 19 Kids and Counting, but I never found the recipe. Going to have to cut the cheese though because I can’t have dairy. Otherwise it looks so good!
Sophie S recently posted…@DisneyonIce 100 Years of Magic in #Chicago, Coloring Sheet Too!
Shannah Coe says
Could you substitute rice cheese or similar? I am not sure it will have the same flavor without at least a hint of cheese.
Emily from Reaching Beyond My Reach says
This sounds so yummy! Lots of great textures and flavors that I’m looking forward to combining soon. Thanks so much for sharing!
Shannah Coe says
I was surprised at how much I actually enjoyed this! It was definitely delicious.
Ginger says
Featuring you today! Thanks for linking up to {wow me} wednesday. 🙂
Ginger @ gingersnapcrafts.com
Shannah Coe says
Thanks Ginger! I will definitely stop by to check it out.
Danita @O Taste And See says
Yeah! Finally another recipe for the fried onions I always have left after Thanksgiving’s green bean casserole. This looks yummy, thanks for sharing.
Danita @O Taste And See recently posted…Top 5 “Fails” of 2013
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
I wish we had tater tots in the UK, they always look amazing! I might have to use hash browns instead 🙂
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche recently posted…German Krummeltorte (easy apple crumble cake)
Joan says
This does sound good. Other similar recipes use a 32oz bag of tater tots. Is that what you use? I think they come in different sizes.
Shannah Coe says
Hi – Yes, you would use a 32 oz bag. I will update the instructions to reflect this since you are right, they do come in difference sizes.
Lisa says
Awesome recipe. My whole family loves it! Never any left for leftovers. But instead of water I use milk makes it creamy.
Shannah Coe says
Milk is a great idea!
Amanda Finks says
This is perfect cheesy crunchy comfort food. So good!
Tayler Ross says
I made this for dinner last night and OMG I think this will be my family’s new favorite comfort food! Thanks so much for sharing!