Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole
Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole is a classic family dinner that never disappoints. It’s easy to make, always a hit, and it makes the whole family happy!
Looking for more easy ground beef recipes? Try our Easy Rotel pasta, Baked Beans with ground beef, Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet.
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I love how this easy recipe takes basic ingredients and turns them into something so satisfying! The combination of ranch seasoning and cream of mushroom soup creates this incredible creamy base, and those crispy tater tots on top make it feel like a special treat.
It’s one of those casserole recipes that tastes even better the next day! This hot dish has become our go-to for busy weeknights.
What you’ll love about this easy tater tot casserole recipe:
Recipe Ingredients:
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this ground beef casserole:
- Ground beef
- Yellow onion
- Garlic cloves- You can use 1 teaspoon garlic powder instead of fresh garlic.
- Ranch seasoning mix packet
- Worcestershire sauce
- Cream of mushroom soup- You can use a can of cream of chicken instead.
- Frozen corn
- Milk
- Dried thyme
- Sharp Cheddar cheese
- Frozen tater tots- I used Ore-Ida brand, but any frozen tots will work.
Ingredient Notes:
- Ground Beef: 80/20 ground beef works perfectly, but you can use lean ground beef if you prefer. Drain any excess grease after browning the meat mixture.
- Ranch Seasoning: The packet adds so much flavor to the ground beef mixture and makes this great recipe extra special.
- Tater Tots: Keep them frozen until you’re ready to use them for the best crispy texture on top of the tater tots.
How to make Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole step-by-step:
Check out the quick visual guides below. For full instructions and ingredients, see the printable recipe card at the end.
Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium-high heat until beef is browned and onion is softened, about 8 minutes.
Step 3: Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Drain excess fat.
Step 4: Stir in ranch seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, cream of mushroom soup, frozen corn, milk, and thyme. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until well combined.
Step 5: Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish and sprinkle all of the cheddar cheese over the top of the beef.
Step 6: Arrange tots in a single layer over the cheese to create an even layer of tater tots.
Step 7: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Step 8: Remove foil and bake uncovered for 10–15 minutes, until the tater tots are golden brown and crisp.
Step 9: Let cool for 5 minutes, then garnish with chopped chives if using. Serve warm.
PRO TIP:
Don’t skip covering the casserole with foil for the first part of baking! This helps the beef mixture stay moist while the tater tots start cooking. The total cook time should be around 35-40 minutes in a preheated oven. Removing the foil for the final bake ensures those cheesy tater tots get perfectly golden and crispy on top.
Storage and Reheating:
Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It can be kept for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm larger portions in a 350°F oven until heated through. Let come to room temperature for even heating.
Freezing: For best results, freeze the casserole unbaked. Assemble completely with the beef mixture, cheese, and frozen tater tots, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating
Additions and Substitutions:
ADDITIONS:
- Vegetables: Add diced bell pepper, mushrooms, or use a can of green beans to the beef mixture for extra veggies and nutrition.
- Spice: Try adding a pinch of paprika, onion powder, or black pepper for more flavor.
- Cheese: Mix different cheeses like Monterey Jack or pepper jack for variety in this cheesy tater tot casserole.
- Garnish: Serve with a dollop of sour cream or fresh herbs.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Soup: Use cream of chicken soup, or condensed soup varieties instead of the can of cream of mushroom soup.
- Ground beef: Try making a chicken tater tot casserole or use ground turkey instead of beef.
- Cooking dish: You can also use an oven-safe skillet for this tater tot recipe if you prefer.
FAQs about this hamburger with tater tot casserole:
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! This is one of the best easy dinner recipes for meal prep. Assemble the entire casserole without the final layer of cheese, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Perfect for planning ahead on busy weeknights!
Can I make variations of this recipe?
Absolutely! Try making cheeseburger casserole, cowboy casserole, or even green bean casserole using similar techniques. You could also make a tater tot breakfast casserole by adding eggs!
What makes this different from other easy casserole recipe options?
This cheeseburger tater tot casserole recipe uses easy layers and simple techniques that make it perfect for feeding teenage boys or anyone with a hearty appetite! It’s one of those easy weeknight dinner solutions that works every time.
What can I serve with this easy tater tot casserole?
This beef casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it goes great with a simple green salad, steamed broccoli, or green beans for added vegetables. It’s pure comfort food, so feel free to add a slice of garlic bread or dinner rolls to round it all out.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
I’m excited for you to try this hamburger tater tot casserole! After you make it, please leave a rating to let me know your thoughts on it – I’m eager to hear if you loved it as much as we do! Find us on IG + TikTok: @littlechefwithin
Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (1-ounce) packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 (10.75 ounce)cans cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 (32 ounce) bag frozen tater tots
- Chopped fresh chives for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until beef is browned and onion is softened, about 8 minutes. 1 1/2 pounds ground beef,1 medium yellow onion.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Drain excess fat.3 cloves garlic.
- Stir in ranch seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, cream of mushroom soup, frozen corn, milk, and thyme. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until well combined. 1 (1-ounce) packet ranch seasoning mix,1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce,2 (10.75 ounce)cans cream of mushroom soup,1 cup frozen corn,1/2 cup milk,1/2 teaspoon dried thyme.
- Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish and sprinkle all of the cheddar cheese over the top.2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
- Arrange tater tots in a single layer over the top of the cheese.1 (32 ounce) bag frozen tater tots.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake uncovered for 10–15 minutes, until the tater tots are golden brown and crisp.
- Let cool for 5 minutes, then garnish with chopped chives if using. Serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
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Very tasty! Thanks!