There are a few dishes that bring soul comfort food, like tater tot casserole recipe. This recipe for tater tot casserole transforms basic ingredients into a rich and satisfying dish that draws families together at the dinner table. If you’re serving hungry kids in the afternoon or hosting friends for a relaxed dinner, this tater tot casserole recipe is a warm and flavourful dish that packs a punch of flavour with each bite.
The best tater tot casserole recipe is regarded as a true crowd pleaser, and for good reason. The mix of crunchy potato tots, delicious fillings, and melty cheese produces a delicate symphony that is a hit with eaters of all ages. It’s not all bad, as this tater tot casserole recipe easy require minimal prep time while providing maximum comfort, a winning recipe for busy families.
The appeal of tater-tot casserole is in its versatility. For vegetarians and meat-eaters, as well as spice lovers and those with more mild tastes, there is an option that suits everyone’s taste. This comprehensive guide will take you through the traditional recipe and then introduce twelve new and exciting recipes that are sure to make your family excited for mealtime.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Basic ingredients: This recipe utilizes pantry staples that are readily available at any supermarket, making it easy to prepare.
Simple to prepare: The recipe is as easy to make as layering the ingredients, adding spices, and baking. This dish makes it ideal for novice cooks.
Less costly: It accommodates 6-8 persons, making it perfect for families with large numbers as well as those with a limited budget.
Make-Ahead Convenience: The casserole is prepared ahead of time and baked as needed, making it ideal for holiday potlucks, holidays, or any other occasion when you’re looking to save time.
Basic Ingredients in Tater Tot Casserole
- Tater Tots are the star of this dish. It provides a crisp and crispy topping—options are available for regular-sized ones to achieve the best texture and greater coverage.
- Ground Beef is the traditional protein-based base. Turkey, chicken, or other poultry can also be used as a substitute. One pound will suffice to make a typical casserole that serves 6-8 persons.
- Frozen mixed vegetables add colour, nutrients, and taste. Peas, sweet corn, and carrots are all popular; however, you are free to alter the selection according to your preferences or the availability of vegetable options.
- Cheese brings all things together thanks to its melting properties and delicious flavour. Cheddar is a classic cheese, and the combination of cheeses, such as sharp cheddar (for flavour and tang) or mozzarella (for flexibility and mildness), add depth.
- Condensed soup is a key ingredient that creates a cohesive casserole. Traditionally, the use of cream of mushrooms is employed; however, celery or chicken cream is also a viable option as a moisture source, aiding in blending the flavours when baking.
How to Make Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
- Preheat the oven. Set the oven temperature to 180°C (160°C fan).
- Ensure the baking dish is thoroughly greased to prevent sticking.
- Brown the ground beef in a large pan over medium-high heat. Break it into smaller, uniform pieces. Cook for 6-8 mins. Remove any unnecessary fat and then season with pepper, salt, and any other desired spices.
- Add the vegetables of your choice to the cooked meat. If you are using frozen vegetables, you do not need to thaw them as they cook in the oven.
- Add the condensed soup. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and evenly coated.
- Place the meat, vegetables, and soup ingredients evenly in the baking dish.
- Add cheese. Sprinkle half the cheese over your meat and vegetable layer.
- Layout Tater Tots. To arrange them, place the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top, covering them completely (small spaces are okay, as the tots can expand).
- Add the remaining cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the tater tots to create an elegant, golden top.
- Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the tater tots are crisp and golden brown, and the casserole begins to bubble at the edges.
Nutrition Per Serving
- A standard serving (1/8 of the recipe) provides approximately 380 to 420 calories, depending on the ingredients used.
- Contains 18 to 22 grams of protein per serving when made with lean ground beef, making it a satisfying main course.
- Typically 28-32 grams of carbohydrates per serving, mainly from the tater tots and vegetables.
- Fat content varies between 20-25 grams for each serving by the type of cheese and amount of cheese.
- It may contain high levels of sodium due to the use of processing ingredients such as condensed soup and tater tots. The use of low-sodium versions could lower sodium levels.
- Provides important nutrients such as protein for muscle maintenance, calcium for bone health, and various vitamins from the mixed vegetables.
Easy Tater Tot Casserole Recipes
Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
This traditional version enhances the recipe by adding additional spice mixes that increase the hamburger flavour. It comes with 900g of ground beef, a packet of onion soup mix, 400g of frozen mixed vegetables, one can of soup made from cream of mushroom, and 225g of cheddar cheese, as well as approximately 900g of frozen tater tots, along with salt and pepper to suit your preference.
The beef is cooked and then combined with the onion soup packet to add additional flavour. In the end, veggies and soup are added as per the base recipe. The casserole is topped with tater tots and cheese, baked until bubbling and golden.
Tater Tot Casserole Recipe with Ground Beef
The focus of this variation is to enhance the flavour of beef by combining spices and herbs. The ingredients are a 900g portion of lean ground beef, one large, diced onion, two cloves of minced garlic, a teaspoon of dried thyme, a container of cream of celery soup, 300g of frozen sweet corn, 200g of mature grated cheddar, and 900g of Tater Tots.
The garlic and onions will be fried before the beef is prepared. In the process, thyme is added to enhance the flavour. This mixture is then mixed into the sweetcorn soup and baked according to the recipe.
Tater Tot Casserole Recipe Without Meat
This tater tot casserole recipe with no meat is ideal for families with vegetarians or those observing Meatless Monday. Ingredients include 400g of mixed frozen vegetables, a tin of mushroom soup, 200g of grated cheese, 900g of tater tots, one can of drained sweet corn, one tablespoon of garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste.
The soup, vegetables, and half the cheese and seasonings are blended. The mix is then spread out in an oven-proof dish and topped with cheese, the rest, and tater tots. The dish is cooked until it is golden.
4 Ingredients Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
The simplest recipe that is bursting with cheese flavour. This recipe contains cheese soup, 300g of grated cheese, and 900g of tot, and cooked in the oven is mingled with the soup of cheese placed in a dish, topped that is topped with half the cheese grated, served with tater tots, as well as the rest of the cheese. The dish is cooked until crisp.
Simple Tater Tot Casserole Recipe with Cream of Mushroom Soup
The addition of mushrooms to this dish adds earthier flavours. The main ingredients include 700g of ground beef, one can of cream of mushroom soup, 200g of frozen peas and carrots, 225g of grated Swiss cheese, 900g of tater-tots, and one teaspoon of dried oregano.
The beef is then browned using oregano before the vegetables and soup are added. The dish is topped with swiss cheese to add a unique flavour profile. It is then served with tater tots and baked.
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
This tater tot casserole recipe with chicken is lighter and uses chicken as a source of varied proteins. Ingredients include 700g of chopped chicken breast, one tin of soup made from chicken, 300g of frozen broccoli florets, 200g of mozzarella cheese, 902g of tater tots, and 1 tsp of Italian seasoning.
Chicken pieces are cooked until they are no longer pink and then sprinkled with Italian herbs. The broccoli and soup are combined and then put together with mozzarella and tater tots after baking.
Tater Tot Casserole Recipe made with Green Beans
Green beans are a source of colour and nutrition in this family-favourite. Ingredients include a 900g portion of ground beef, 400g of frozen green beans, one 400g tin of cream mushroom soup, 225g of cheddar cheese, and 900g of tater tots, along with 1 tsp of onion powder.
The meat is cooked with onion powder before the soup is added, and then green beans are added. The casserole is then topped with cheddar cheese before being served with tater tots, making the complete dish.
Tater Tot Casserole Recipe using Sour Cream
The tang of sour cream is a great addition to the creaminess. The ingredients include 900g ground beef, 200 millilitres of sour cream, one container of celery cream soup, 300g of frozen mixed vegetables, 225g of sharp cheddar cheese, and 900g of tater tots. The cooked beef is mixed with sour cream and soup to add extra flavour. In addition, vegetables are included. Finally, the dish is then layered with tater tots and cheese after baking.
Tater Tot Casserole Recipe Crock Pot
It is ideal for busy days where you’re looking to have dinner cooked the moment you get home. It includes 900g of ground beef that has been browned, as well as a tin of mushroom soup, 300g of frozen vegetables, 200g of cheese, and 900g of tater tots.
The beef, which has been browned, as well as the soup and vegetables, are cooked inside the slow cooker. The dish is simmered on a low setting for about 4 hours. The dish is served with cheese and tater-tots added during the last 30 minutes.
Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
A variety of flavours come with cheeseburgers in a casserole. Ingredients include 900g of ground meat, two tablespoons of ketchup, one tablespoon of mustard, one diced onion, 300g of American cheese, and 900g of tater tots, along with pickles as garnish. The meat is cooked in onions, and then ketchup and mustard are added. The casserole is topped with American cheese, as well as tater tots, and then finished with pickles to create a unique variation on the cheeseburger.
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Make this classic tater tot casserole recipe breakfast into an energizing dish. Ingredients include 450g of breakfast sausage, six beaten eggs, 250ml of milk, 225g of cheddar cheese, 900g of tater tots, and salt and pepper to taste. The sausage is cooked, and then eggs are whisked together with milk. The sausage is then layered, followed by the egg mixture with cheese and tater tots, and then baked until the eggs have set.
Tater Tot Casserole Recipe with Cream of Chicken
The loaded tater tot casserole recipe is made with cream of chicken. The chicken cream soup is a lighter alternative to other varieties of mushroom soup. Its ingredients are 700g of ground turkey, one tin of cream of chicken soup, 300g of frozen peas, 200g of white cheddar cheese, 900g of tater tots, and one teaspoon of sage. The turkey is then browned with sage, and peas and soup are added. The casserole is served with white cheddar as well as tater tots in a modern twist on the standard.
Conclusion
Tater Tot Casserole is more than just a practical evening meal; it’s a great way to bring the family together during gatherings. Its versatility allows you to customize the dish to meet different dietary preferences, ensuring that everyone at the dinner table is comfortable. This assortment of twelve recipes offers many options for keeping the classic comfort food fresh. From the protein-rich breakfast option to a vegetarian version, there’s a tot casserole that will suit any occasion and taste.
You might want to consider making this recipe part of your daily menu and try various variations to find your family’s favourite dishes. The ability to prepare most recipes ahead of time makes them ideal for meal preparation, hectic evenings, or hosting guests with minimal stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients are needed to make tater tots?
- 1 pound of ground beef.
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can of condensed cream of mushroom soup.
- Salt and black pepper are ground according to taste.
- 1 (16 oz) bag of frozen tater tots.
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese.
What is the best way to use a tater-tot casserole?
Other sides To Serve along with Tater Tot Casserole
- The Best Garlic Bread You’ll Ever Eat.
- Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls.
- Easy Flaky Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls.
- The Best Dinner Rolls.
- Pull Apart Garlic Bread.
- Salted Honey Butter Parker House Rolls.
- Best Berry Fruit Salad.
- Winter Fruit Salad.
Why is my tater tot casserole becoming soggy?
The casserole not being baked long enough is the main cause of it becoming too wet. Ensure that the casserole’s centre is bubbling and the surface is golden before removing it from the oven. If the surface begins to turn brown, cover it with foil while baking.
Is there a different alternative to a tater-tot casserole?
A few parts of the United States are known as tater-tot casserole. Other regions use the term “hot dish.”
What exactly is a tot?
Tater tots consist of grated potatoes made into small cylinders, then cooked in deep fry, usually served as a dish to accompany a meal. “Tater” is a dialectal variant of “potato.” The word “tater tot” is a trademark registered by Ore-Ida, an American frozen food company. However, it is frequently used as a generic name.
What is the reason it’s made into a casserole?
The word “casserole” is derived from a French word meaning ‘saucepan’.
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