Comforting Midwest Tater Tot Casserole (Printable)

Hearty beef and vegetable layers topped with crispy golden potato tots in a creamy sauce. A beloved Midwest comfort food perfect for feeding a crowd.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cups frozen corn kernels
04 - 1 cup frozen peas (optional)

→ Sauces & Dairy

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

→ Pantry & Seasonings

08 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
09 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
10 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt

→ Topping

12 - 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
03 - Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
04 - Add the cream of mushroom soup and milk to the skillet. Mix until combined, then stir in corn and peas (if using).
05 - Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
06 - Arrange tater tots in a single, even layer over the casserole.
07 - Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, or until tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
08 - Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This is the ultimate comfort food that brings everyone to the table, even on the most chaotic weeknights
  • The crispy tater tot topping creates the perfect textural contrast to the creamy, savory filling underneath
02 -
  • Draining the beef fat is crucial, otherwise your casserole will be greasy and the tots won't crisp properly
  • The tater tots should be touching but not overlapping for the crispiest results
03 -
  • Let the beef mixture cool slightly before adding the cheese so it doesn't melt completely into the sauce
  • If your tots aren't browning evenly, rotate the pan halfway through baking

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