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5.0 from 6 votes

Easy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe with Ground Beef

Tater Tot Casserole (aka "Hot Dish" in Minnesota and many other midwest states) is a comfort food casserole classic. This easy casserole recipe is a family favorite made with savory ground beef, a creamy sauce, plenty of veggies, and of course, lots of crispy tater tots for the top crust!

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 321 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Meat Layer
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced, divided
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons salted butter
  • 8 ounces white button or crimini mushrooms, diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup beef or chicken broth
  • 1 cup half-and-half
Assembly
  • 1 lb fresh or frozen green beans, thawed if using frozen (about 2 cups)
  • 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 (32-ounce) pkg. frozen tater tots

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef and half of the chopped onion until cooked through. Add half of the minced garlic, along with the worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Cook another 30-60 seconds, then transfer to a 9x13-inch casserole dish and spread in an even layer. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Melt the butter in the same pan over medium-high heat.  Add the remaining chopped onion, sauteing for 4 to 5 minutes until the onions start to soften. Add the garlic, mushrooms, salt and pepper. Cook another 1 to 2 minutes stirring occasionally.
  3. Sprinkle the flour over the mushrooms and onions. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the flour has been absorbed. Add the beef or chicken broth, whisking well to make sure there are no lumps. Stir in the half and half. 
  4. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 5-6 minutes.
  5. Layer ground beef mixture. Layer green bean & soup mixture. Top with cheddar cheese. Top with tots arranged in straight lines. Bake 45-50 minutes until tots are golden brown and everything is heated through.

Notes

  • Make ahead: You can assemble the casserole up through adding the cheese up to 1-2 days in advance and refrigerate. Add the frozen tater tots just before baking.
  • Storage: Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. We find that they reheat best in the air fryer or a 350 degree F oven until hot all the way through.
  • Freezing: The casserole can be assembled and frozen either before or after baking. To bake from frozen, add an additional 30 minutes to the bake time until cooked all the way through.
  • Garlic: You can use 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder for the minced garlic.
  • Vegetable substitutes: Chopped bell peppers, carrots, frozen mixed vegetables, or canned green beans and canned corn are all good substitutes for fresh green beans and corn.
  • Half-and-half substitutes: You can use an equal amount of heavy cream for a richer sauce, or all milk for a lighter, thinner sauce. Or replace the half-and-half with sour cream stirred in after simmering for 5-6 minutes once the sauce is removed from the heat so it doesn't curdle.

Nutrition Information

Calories 321kcal (16%) Carbohydrates 16g (5%) Protein 23g (46%) Fat 19g (29%) Saturated Fat 11g (55%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Trans Fat 0.3g Cholesterol 82mg (27%) Sodium 846mg (35%) Potassium 631mg (18%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 873IU (17%) Vitamin C 10mg (11%) Calcium 277mg (28%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 321

% Daily Value*

Calories 321kcal 16%
Carbohydrates 16g 5%
Protein 23g 46%
Fat 19g 29%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Trans Fat 0.3g 15%
Cholesterol 82mg 27%
Sodium 846mg 35%
Potassium 631mg 13%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 873IU 17%
Vitamin C 10mg 11%
Calcium 277mg 28%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.