Original Tater Tot Casserole

If you’ve been looking for the original tater tot casserole recipe, this is it. We aren’t making our own cream of soup…or subbing ground turkey… or trying to sneak in extra veggies. This is the classic full flavor Tater Tot Hotdish you remember from when you were growing up!

It’s the kind of food I grew up on in Iowa, and still make in my home today. I love classic recipes like this Tater Tot Casserole because they are easy to make and remind me that delicious food doesn’t need fancy ingredients. Just ground beef, cream of soup, veggies and tater tots make this old-fashioned favorite a perfect family meal that’s just as delicious today as it was decades ago.

Classic Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

If you’ve been searching for the classic version of tater tot casserole, you’ve found it. This is the same recipe generations have grown up eating. It's made with simple, familiar ingredients and delivers all the rich, creamy flavors you remember. 

Of course, you can always customize it to suit your family’s tastes, but this recipe stays true to the original. No trendy twists, no lightened-up substitutions, and no reinventing a recipe that never needed fixing.

Ingredients for Tater Tot Casserole

Ground beef – I like to use 85/15 it has enough fat to be flavorful but not so much fat that your hot dish is greasy.

Yellow onion – You can use a white onion too – I just find that the yellow onion has nice mild flavor.

Fresh garlic cloves – minced, add as much as you like.

Kosher salt and black pepper – perfect seasonings

Condensed cream of mushroom soup & celery soup – Yep, we are using the good old classic “cream of” soups! If that isn’t your jam you can definitely make your own or skip this recipe all together.

Whole milk – makes the “sauce” creamier and more flavorful.

Worcestershire sauce – love the depth of flavor the Worcestershire gives. Opt for a soy sauce if you are allergic to or avoid fish

Frozen mixed veggies – or you can use (14.5 oz) can cut green beans, drained

Frozen tater tots – keep them frozen, no need to thaw.

Shredded sharp cheddar cheese – optional, but highly recommended

Substitutions & Alterations

• Ground turkey or plant based crumbles can be used in place of the ground beef
• Mixed veggies or green beans can be subbed with your favorite veggie mix
• Shredded cheese or cheese slices are a great addition
• Other flavored cream of soups can be used

How to Make Classic Tater Tot Hotdish

Step 1

Preheat the oven and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion. Add the garlic and saute another minute. 

Drain off the fat. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 2

Spread the beef and onion mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.

Step 3

In a medium bowl, whisk together both cans of condensed soup, milk and Worcestershire until smooth. Pour evenly over the beef.

Step 4

Scatter the veggies over the soup layer.

If using cheese, sprinkle evenly over top.

Step 5

Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top, packed close together. Start at the edges and work toward the middle for the neatest finish.

Step 6

Bake, uncovered, until the tots are golden brown and crisp and the edges of the casserole are bubbling. About 45-50 mins.

Let stand about 10 minutes to cool a little before serving.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• Line the tater tots up neatly for the best presentation
• Let the cooked casserole cool before serving. Just like lasagna, it will set up a little when cooling.
• Make two. Bake one for now and freeze the other for later!

How to Store And Reheat

This recipe stores and reheats great and will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. For reheating in the oven cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes to help the tater tots crisp back up. In the microwave heat individual portions in 30- to 60-second intervals until hot.

Freezing

You can freeze a hotdish for up to 3 months, but your best bet is to assemble and don't bake it. Then you can bake from frozen covered for 60-90 minutes in a preheated 350°F oven, or you can thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed in the recipe card.

What to Serve with Tater Tot Casserole

This recipe is pretty much a full meal in itself, but I like to add a side salad or some extra veggies like Roasted Broccoli and some warm bread, like Homemade Dinner Rolls for sopping up everything.

More Classic Casserole Recipes

• Mom's Tuna Noodle Casserole
• Chicken and Stuffing Casserole Bake
• Chicken Tetrazzini
• Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole

Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

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Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 55 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Author: Susie Weinrich

The classic Tater Tot Hotdish you remember-crispy tots, savory ground beef, creamy sauce, and plenty of cheesy comfort. No homemade cream soup, ground turkey, or sneaky vegetables here-just the full-flavor Midwest classic you grew up loving.

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• 1½ lbs ground beef, 85/15
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic , minced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 10.5 oz condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 10.5 oz condensed cream of celery soup
• ¾ cup whole milk
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 1½ cups mixed veggies, frozen; or can use (14.5 oz can cut green beans, drained)
• 32 oz tater tots, frozen
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, optional, shredded

Instructions

 

• Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion, breaking the meat up as it cooks, until no pink remains and the onion is soft, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and saute another minute.
  1½ lbs ground beef, 1 medium yellow onion, 3 cloves garlic
  
• Drain off the fat. Season with salt and pepper.
  1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Spread the beef and onion mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
  
• In a medium bowl, whisk together both cans of condensed soup, milk and Worcestershire until smooth. Pour evenly over the beef.
  1 10.5 oz condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 10.5 oz condensed cream of celery soup, ¾ cup whole milk, 1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
• Scatter the veggies over the soup layer.
  1½ cups mixed veggies
  
• If using cheese, sprinkle evenly over the veggies.
  2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
• Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top, packed close together. Start at the edges and work toward the middle for the neatest finish.
  32 oz tater tots
  
• Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes, until the tots are golden brown and crisp and the edges of the casserole are bubbling.
• Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving. It will set up while it cools and be easier to serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 588kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 1099mg | Potassium: 696mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2061IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 276mg | Iron: 3mg