Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole
Growing up, tater tot casserole was one of my absolute favorite foods. I don’t remember when my mom first started cooking it for dinner, but it was instantly a hit – at least with me! She would ask us what we wanted for dinner some weeks, and tater tot casserole was always at the top of my list, right alongside tuna noodle casserole.
Tater tot casserole is traditionally made with tater tots (of course), ground beef, green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and lots of wonderful cheddar cheese. I have tweaked it, taking out the green beans and adding cream of potato soup alongside the cream of mushroom. After much trial and error, I finally found a recipe that my family loves.
Now, I love cooking this for my family. Sometimes I make it just like the recipe, other times I will add in some chopped up spinach for a boost of greens. Either way, it is a delicious dinner that is incredibly easy to throw together on a busy weeknight! I hope you give it a shot and love this recipe just as much as I do!
Equipment & Tools
Skillet: You will need a large skillet to cook the ground turkey in!
Wooden Spoon: I love using wooden utensils for cooking.
Mixing Bowl: You will need a large mixing bowl to mix everything up in.
Baking Dish: You will need a 9-inch x 13-inch baking dish to bake the casserole!
Storage Container(s): Any storage containers work, just make sure they have tight-fitting lids and are freezer-safe, if you are planning on putting leftovers in your freezer.
Ingredients Needed
Tater Tots: You can’t make a tater tot casserole without tater tots! Make sure that they are frozen, not thawed, when you put them into the oven.
Ground Turkey: You could also use ground beef, if you would like. I have found that using turkey is generally less greasy.
Cream of Mushroom Soup: I love the salty flavor that this soup brings to the casserole. My husband is also a huge fan of mushrooms, whereas I am not, so this is a happy compromise for us. If you are a mushroom fan, you can add chopped or sliced portabella mushrooms to up the mushroom-ness. And if you are not a fan, feel free to substitute this with an extra can of the cream of potato soup. It is just as delicious that way, as well!
Cream of Potato Soup: This soup gives a burst of creaminess to the casserole that is just divine, plus it just compliments the tater tots. I also love the little chunks of potatoes throughout!
Garlic Powder: For me, garlic is a MUST in any savory recipe. Well. Almost. But it is definitely needed in this one!
Worcestershire Sauce: I love Worcestershire sauce. Maybe a little too much. My husband always needs me to tone it down in our turkey shepherd’s pie, but I always keep the bottle right next to me at the dinner table so I can add as much as my heart’s content. In this recipe, the umami flavor of the sauce helps to deepen the savory-ness of the casserole, and you won’t want to miss out!
Salt & Pepper: Proper seasoning is key to every recipe, and there is no seasoning more essential than salt and pepper.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Now, this casserole would be delicious without the cheese, but who would want that? The creamy, gooey, melted cheddar cheese layer between the meat and the tater tots is to die for, so don’t skimp out on this one!
How to Make Tater Tot Casserole
Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit / 190 degrees Celsius.
Brown the Turkey: Cook the ground turkey in the skillet over medium heat until browned. Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper. If you decide to use ground beef instead of turkey, be sure to drain out any excess grease, as it will make your casserole greasy if you don’t, and nobody likes a greasy casserole!
Prepare the Mixture: In a large mixing bowl or in the same pan if there is enough space, mix together the ground turkey, soups, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour into a greased 9-inch x 13-inch baking dish.
Add the Cheese: Cover the turkey mixture with the shredded cheddar cheese. Use as much cheese as what will make your heart happy.
Add the Tots: Spread the tater tots evenly on top of the cheese. You can top with extra cheese, if desired.
Bake: Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the casserole is warmed through and the cheese is melted. Serve and Enjoy!
Storage: Tater tot casserole holds well in the refrigerator for about four days. It also freezes incredibly well. I suggest freezing it after it bakes, and it can hold in an air-tight container in the freezer for up to three months. If you want to freeze it before baking it, omit the tater tot layer on top, and then freeze the meat and cheese layers. When you go to bake it, thaw it out, then add the frozen tater tots to bake. This way the bottom of the casserole is thawed, but the tater tots are still frozen on top.
Additions to Tater Tot Casserole
One of the best things about tater tot casserole is how versatile it is! Many people add extra foods, such as vegetables, to it! Here are some of our favorites!
Spinach: Chop 2 cups of spinach and cook it with the turkey. Then, continue the recipe as per normal.
Green Beans: Add 2 cups of fresh green beans to the turkey-soup-sauce mixture before putting the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Then, continue the recipe as per normal.
Beef: Some people prefer to use ground beef in place of turkey. You can use ground beef in a 1:1 ratio to the turkey, you just may need to drain any excess grease after browning the beef.
Sour Cream: Some people love to add 1/2 cup of sour cream to their soup mixture, adding a tangy flavor. If you do, merely omit one of the cans of cream of potato soup.
FAQ’s
Tater Tot Casserole
*Note: Calories and cost is estimated, if provided.
Equipment & Tools
- Skillet
- 9-in x 13-in Baking Dish
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Wooden Spoon
- Storage Container(s)
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Ground turkey
- ½ tsp Garlic powder
- ½ tsp Fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp Ground black pepper , freshly ground
- 2 (10.7 oz) cans Condensed cream of potato soup
- 1 (10.7 oz) can Condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 lbs Tater tots , frozen
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375℉ / 190℃.
- Grease a 9-inch x 13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown 2 lbs Ground turkey, seasoning with ½ tsp Garlic powder, ½ tsp Fine sea salt, and ¼ tsp Ground black pepper. If using beef, drain any grease.
- To the meat, add 2 (10.7 oz) cans Condensed cream of potato soup, 1 (10.7 oz) can Condensed cream of mushroom soup, and 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce. Mix well to combine.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, making sure to spread it evenly in the dish.
- Sprinkle over 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded the turkey mixture.
- Cover with 2 lbs Tater tots, trying to keep the layer of tots as even as possible.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until warmed through. Serve and enjoy!
Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer – Freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. If you wish to freeze the whole casserole before baking, omit the tater tot layer on top, and then freeze the meat and cheese layers. When you go to bake it, thaw it out, then add the frozen tater tots to bake. This way the bottom of the casserole is thawed, but the tater tots are still frozen on top.
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