Get ready to transform your dinner game with the most irresistible comfort food that will make your taste buds dance and your family beg for seconds! This isn't just another boring casserole - this is a crispy, cheesy, flavor-packed adventure that takes the classic tater tot casserole and cranks it up to eleven. Whether you're a busy parent, a comfort food enthusiast, or just someone who loves a meal that's both easy to make and incredibly delicious, this recipe is about to become your new obsession!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 bag frozen tater tots
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook it until browned, stirring occasionally to break it apart, about 5-7 minutes.
- Once the ground beef is fully cooked, drain any excess fat from the skillet. This will help keep the casserole from being greasy.
- Add the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and garlic powder to the skillet with the cooked ground beef. Stir well to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese, mixing until the cheese is melted and well incorporated into the beef mixture.
- In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spread the beef and soup mixture evenly across the bottom.
- Evenly distribute the frozen tater tots over the top of the beef mixture, ensuring that they cover the entire surface.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- After 30 minutes, remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese over the top of the tater tots.
- Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This will help the layers set and make it easier to serve.
- Serve hot and enjoy your Not Your Mom's Tater Tot Casserole with your favorite side salad or vegetables!
Tips
- For extra flavor, consider using ground beef with a slightly higher fat content (80/20) to enhance the richness of the dish.
- Make sure to drain the ground beef thoroughly to prevent a watery casserole. Pat the meat with paper towels if needed.
- For added crunch, you can briefly toast the tater tots under the broiler for 2-3 minutes after the final cheese layer.
- If you want to sneak in some vegetables, try mixing in some finely chopped bell peppers or frozen mixed vegetables with the beef mixture.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier.
- For a spicier version, add a dash of hot sauce or sprinkle some red pepper flakes into the beef mixture.
- This casserole reheats beautifully, so don't worry about leftovers - they'll be just as delicious the next day!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 357kcal
Carbohydrates: 21g
Protein: 19g
Fat: 23g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 53mg
