Description
This Crispy Tater Tot Casserole combines savory ground beef, a creamy cheese sauce, and crispy tater tots for a comforting and crowd-pleasing dish. Perfectly baked until golden and bubbly, it’s an easy, satisfying meal that’s great for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Cheese & Tater Tots
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar, divided
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
Garnish
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Par-Bake Tots: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Spread the frozen tater tots in an even layer on a sheet pan and bake them for 12 minutes. This step helps to start crisping the tots before adding them to the casserole.
- Brown Beef: While tots bake, heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 6 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Add Aromatics: Stir the finely diced onion into the browned beef and cook for 3 minutes until translucent and softened. Add the minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, dried thyme, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook and stir for 1 minute to develop the flavors.
- Make Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, sour cream, cornstarch, and Dijon mustard until smooth. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the beef and onion. Simmer for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens. Then stir in 2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and incorporated.
- Assemble: Spread the beef and cheese mixture evenly in the skillet. Arrange the par-baked tater tots on top of the beef mixture and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar over the tots.
- Bake: Reduce the oven temperature to 400°F. Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 18 minutes, until the casserole is heated through and starting to bubble. Then switch the oven to broil and broil the casserole for 2 to 3 minutes to crisp and brown the tater tots and cheese on top. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving for a fresh, colorful finish.
Notes
- Use an oven-safe skillet to avoid transferring the casserole to another dish for baking.
- For extra crispy tots, you can broil a little longer but keep a close eye to prevent burning.
- If you prefer a lower fat version, use leaner ground beef or substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- Feel free to add vegetables like peas or green beans for added nutrition.
