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Delicious Beef Tater Tot Bake

Category: Sweet Treats

This filling starts by cooking ground beef with onions and seasoning it with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Then it's mixed with creamy mushroom soup and a splash of milk. The mixture goes into a baking dish, topped first with shredded cheddar and then a single layer of crispy frozen tater tots. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. In the last 10 minutes, add some cheese on top to melt into a bubbly golden crust. Let it cool a bit before serving so it's warm and cozy.

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Dana
Recipe Created By Dana
Last updated on Thu, 08 Jan 2026 19:24:22 GMT
Tasty dish with melted cheese and crispy potatoes. Save
Tasty dish with melted cheese and crispy potatoes. | chefsnaps.com

This cozy tater tot dish brings together crunchy golden tots with a creamy mix of beef and veggies for a filling meal that feels like a big comforting hug. It’s made with easy stuff you probably have on hand and is great for casual dinners or family nights.

I whipped this up on a cold night when I needed something fast and filling. It quickly became my go-to meal for hectic evenings and always hits the spot for hungry folks.

Needed Ingredients

  • Shredded cheddar cheese: sharp and gooey topping; pick a good brand for best melt
  • Frozen tater tots: add a crunchy, golden finish; choose ones that brown evenly
  • Frozen mixed vegetables: add color and goodness; fresh works fine too
  • Milk: makes the mixture smooth and rich; whole milk is best
  • Cream of mushroom or chicken soup: brings creamy texture and moisture
  • Onion: gives a sweet smell and base flavor; fresh and firm is key
  • Ground beef: packs protein and flavor; choose lean to avoid too much grease
  • Garlic powder: adds savory punch; a pantry favorite for quick seasoning

Step-By-Step Cooking

Close-up shot of a tater tot casserole.
Close-up shot of a tater tot casserole. | chefsnaps.com

I like to toss in peas and carrots to brighten the colors and flavors. One of my favorite memories is bringing this dish to potlucks where it always vanished fast thanks to that addictive cheesy tot topping.

Storage Tips

Ingredient Swaps

What Goes Well

Seasonal Twists

A bowl filled with tater tot casserole.
A bowl filled with tater tot casserole. | chefsnaps.com

This is a comforting crowd-pleaser that’s sure to please everyone. Enjoy making warm moments with every tasty bite.

Frequently Asked Cooking Questions

→ Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen ones?

Sure, you can toss in fresh chopped veggies. Just cook them with the onions first to get them soft before mixing everything else.

→ What is the best type of cheese to use?

Both sharp and mild cheddar are great. They melt nicely and add a rich flavor that goes well with the beef.

→ How do I prevent the tater tots from getting soggy?

Make sure to spread the tater tots in one even layer and bake without covering. This keeps them crispy on top while the filling cooks.

→ Can this dish be prepared ahead of time?

Definitely. Layer everything up, cover the dish, and keep it in the fridge for up to a day before you bake it.

→ Is there a way to make this dish creamier?

Try adding some extra milk or stir in a bit of sour cream with the soup to make it richer without changing the texture too much.

Beef Tater Tot Bake

Savory ground beef blended with creamy mushroom soup, topped with crunchy tater tots and melted cheddar cheese.

Preparation Duration
15 minutes
Time to Cook
40 minutes
Overall Time
55 minutes
Recipe Created By: Dana

Type of Recipe: Sweet Treats

Cooking Skill Level: Simple for Beginners

Cuisine Style: American

Serving Amount: 6 Number of Servings

Dietary Options: ~

Ingredients You'll Need

→ Beef Blend

01 1 small onion, chopped
02 295 ml (1 can) cream of chicken or mushroom soup
03 120 ml milk
04 450 g ground beef
05 Season with salt and black pepper as you like
06 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 150 g frozen mixed veggies (totally optional)

→ Top Layer

08 907 g frozen tater tots
09 200 g shredded cheddar cheese

Detailed Preparation Steps

Step 01

Set oven to 190°C. Lightly oil a 23x33 cm (9x13 inch) baking dish.

Step 02

Cook the ground beef and chopped onion in a pan over medium heat until beef is done. Drain any fat. Then add garlic powder, salt, and pepper to season.

Step 03

Add cream of chicken or mushroom soup plus milk to the beef mix. If you want, throw in frozen veggies and stir everything up.

Step 04

Spread the beef mix across the baking dish. Sprinkle half the cheese (about 100g or 1 cup) over the top. Lay down a single layer of frozen tater tots.

Step 05

Bake it uncovered at 190°C for 30 minutes.

Step 06

Add the rest of the cheese on top and bake for another 10 minutes until it’s melted and bubbly.

Step 07

Take it out of the oven and let it sit a bit before digging in warm.

Helpful Tips

  1. Adding mixed veggies is a nice touch for color and health, but you can skip them if you want.

Essential Kitchen Tools

  • Skillet
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy Information

Always check labels for allergens and reach out to a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • Has dairy and might have gluten depending on the soup you pick

Nutrition Information (Per Portion)

Nutrition facts are provided for reference and don’t replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 650
  • Fat Content: ~
  • Carbohydrate Amount: ~
  • Protein Content: ~