Can I use a different type of ground meat in this casserole?

Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken works wonderfully as a lighter alternative to beef. You might want to add a bit more Worcestershire sauce to enhance the flavor since these meats are naturally less rich than beef. Ground pork is another excellent option that adds a slightly sweeter flavor profile to the dish.

What can I substitute for cream of mushroom soup?

If you're not a fan of mushrooms, cream of chicken or cream of celery soup makes an excellent substitute with very little change to the overall flavor. For a homemade alternative, make a simple white sauce with butter, flour, and milk or chicken broth, then season with salt, pepper, and a dash of garlic powder.

Can I add vegetables to make this casserole more nutritious?

Definitely! This casserole is very versatile. Try adding a layer of thawed frozen mixed vegetables or fresh sautéed vegetables between the beef and soup layers. Corn, peas, carrots, and green beans all work wonderfully. You can also mix finely diced vegetables directly into the meat mixture while cooking.

Why are my tater tots not getting crispy?

If your tots aren't crisping up, there are a few potential culprits. Make sure your oven is fully preheated before putting the casserole in. Also, avoid overcrowding the tots – they should be in a single layer. If they're still not crisping, try placing the casserole on a higher rack in the oven for the last 5-10 minutes of cooking time, or briefly use the broiler setting (watching carefully to prevent burning).

Paige's Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Description

This Tater Tot Casserole is the perfect comfort food dish that features savory ground beef, flavorful seasonings, creamy mushroom soup, melty cheddar cheese, and crispy onion tater tots. It’s an easy, hearty, and satisfying meal that the whole family will love!

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Beef Mixture:

1 pound ground chuck
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon smoked paprika

For the Topping:

1 (10.75-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 to 4 cups frozen onion tater tots

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Dish
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Cook the Beef and Onion
In a large skillet, brown the ground chuck and chopped onion together over medium-high heat until the beef is fully cooked and no pink remains. Drain off any excess fat from the mixture.
Season the Beef Mixture
Stir the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, and smoked paprika into the beef and onion mixture. Mix well to combine all the flavors evenly, then spoon the mixture into the greased baking dish.
Add the Soup and Cheese Layers
Spread the undiluted can of cream of mushroom soup evenly over the beef mixture in the baking dish. Then sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese on top of the soup layer to create a rich and flavorful topping.
Add the Tater Tots
Arrange the frozen onion tater tots evenly on top of the cheese layer, ensuring they fully cover the surface of the casserole.
Bake the Casserole
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is heated through.

Notes

For extra flavor, try using a mix of sharp and mild cheddar cheese.
To make this dish a little spicy, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the beef mixture.
For even crispier tater tots, broil the dish for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end of the bake time.
You can replace cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken for a slightly different flavor profile.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 400
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 750mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 23g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 19g
Cholesterol: 65mg