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Crispy Cheesy Ground Beef and Tater Tot Casserole

crispy cheesy ground beef and tater tot casserole - featured image
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A quick and easy casserole featuring savory ground beef, melty sharp cheddar cheese, and crispy tater tots baked to golden perfection. Perfect for weeknight dinners or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio recommended)
  • 32 oz (900g) frozen tater tots
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (for sautéing)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spatula and cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Drain excess fat.
  4. Stir in tomato paste, beef broth, and Dijon mustard if using. Simmer for 4-5 minutes until mixture thickens slightly.
  5. Spread the beef mixture evenly in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1½ cups (150g) shredded cheddar cheese over the beef layer.
  6. Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese, avoiding overlap to help crisping.
  7. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until tater tots are golden and crispy and cheese is bubbling.
  8. Remove casserole from oven and sprinkle remaining ½ cup (50g) cheddar cheese on top. Return to oven for 5 minutes to melt cheese.
  9. Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

To keep tater tots crispy, bake at a high temperature (425°F) and avoid overcrowding. If tots brown too quickly, tent loosely with foil halfway through baking. A quick broil for 1-2 minutes at the end can add extra crispness. Drain excess fat after browning beef to avoid greasiness. Use sharp cheddar for best flavor and melting. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: casserole, ground beef, tater tots, cheesy, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food

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