WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
Family Friendly: While there are veggies lurking about, they’re mixed in with cheesy beef under a layer of crispy tots. Kids don’t seem to mind them, but if your family is picky, use whatever canned vegetables you like.
Affordability: Casseroles are great for a budget! You can make canned veggies and a pound of ground meat go a long way with this recipe.
Ease: I love how simple a good casserole recipe is. Just toss everything in a dish and bake. So simple!
Tater Tots Casserole Substitutions:
There are lots of great ways you can modify this tater tot casserole! Different veggies, cheese, soup, etc. I’ve got a few good options below:
Soup: This recipe uses cream of chicken but I also love tater tot casserole with cream of mushroom soup! It also just so happens I have a cream of mushroom substitute recipe you can use instead of the canned stuff!
Protein: Swap the ground beef for lean ground turkey or chicken. You could even chop up a rotisserie chicken and use that!
Cheese: Shredded cheddar is my go to for this casserole. Even better if it’s freshly grated! But you can use any variety of cheese. Swiss, Colby Jack, mozzarella, or just about any blend of cheese should turn out well.
Veggies: We a can of mixed veggies including green beans, peas, carrots, and corn. You could use more or less of each of these, or just substitute or swap them entirely with something else like bell pepper, mushroom, or onions! If you’re using fresh vegetables, it helps to saute them for a few minutes to soften them up first.
INGREDIENTS
▢1 pound lean ground beef
▢½ sweet onion diced
▢2 cloves garlic minced
▢15 ounces canned mixed vegetables
▢10 ounces cream of chicken soup
▢2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
▢Dash of hot sauce
▢2 cups shredded cheddar
▢16 ounces frozen tater tots.
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray.
Add the ground beef, onion, and garlic to a large skillet and cook, breaking the meat up as it cooks, until the beef is cooked through. Drain the fat and add the beef mixture to a large mixing bowl.
Add the mixed vegetables, cream of chicken soup, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce to the bowl and stir well to combine.
Spread the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with the cheddar.
Arrange the tater tots in an even layer over the cheese.
Bake for 45 minutes or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
TIPS & NOTES:
Feel free to use cream of mushroom soup in place of the cream of chicken. Our homemade cream of chicken soup or homemade cream of mushroom soup work great here!
To make ahead, prepare according to directions, but do not add the tater tots until ready to bake. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours and then top with tots and bake as directed. Freeze for up to 3 months and then thaw overnight in the fridge, top with tots, and bake as directed.
