Description
Crispy Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef and Cheese is a comforting, hearty dish perfect for family dinners. This delicious casserole features a savory ground beef mixture seasoned with smoked paprika and thyme, combined with a creamy cheddar cheese sauce, all topped with golden, crispy tater tots baked to perfection. Finished under the broiler for a bubbly, crispy crust, it’s an easy-to-make crowd-pleaser that yields 12 generous servings.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
Topping
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Par-Bake Tots: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread the frozen tater tots evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes to partially cook and crisp them.
- Brown Beef: Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink, about 6 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat from the pan.
- Add Aromatics: Stir the finely diced onion into the beef and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, dried thyme, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce, cooking for an additional minute to blend flavors.
- Make Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the low-sodium chicken broth, sour cream, cornstarch, and Dijon mustard until smooth. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the beef. Simmer for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens. Stir in 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted and combined.
- Assemble: Evenly top the beef and sauce mixture with the par-baked tater tots. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the tots.
- Bake: Reduce oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) and bake the casserole for 18 minutes until bubbly. Then broil for 2 to 3 minutes to crisp and brown the top layer. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley before serving warm. Enjoy this creamy, crispy casserole with your favorite side or salad.
Notes
- Use an oven-safe skillet for convenience to transfer directly from stovetop to oven.
- Par-baking the tater tots ensures they become crispy after baking with the casserole.
- Adjust seasoning as desired; smoked paprika adds a lovely smoky flavor but can be omitted.
- Optional: Add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
