Oh, this Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole! If there’s one dish that screams comfort and easy weeknight wins, it’s this one. I’ve been making this for years, and it’s a total lifesaver when you need something hearty and delicious without all the fuss. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table, no complaints, just happy eaters! Trust me, after making it more times than I can count, I’ve perfected it, and it’s become a staple in our family, especially on those busy evenings when dinner needs to be on the table fast but still feel special.
Why You’ll Love This Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole
- It’s SO easy to whip up – seriously, dinner on the table in under an hour!
- The flavor combo is pure comfort: savory beef, creamy sauce, melty cheese, and crispy tater tots.
- Kids and adults alike devour it – it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
- It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal fast.
Gathering Your Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole Ingredients
Alright, let’s get our ingredients ready for this amazing Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole! You’re going to need about a pound of lean ground beef – I usually go for 85/15 or 90/10. Then, grab one small yellow onion and dice it up nice and fine. For that super creamy base, we’ll use one 10.5-ounce can of condensed cream of mushroom soup, and make sure it’s undiluted! You’ll also need half a cup of whole milk to thin that soup out just right. Now for the cheesy goodness: one cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese is perfect, but feel free to use a mix if you like! We’ll also stir in half a cup of full-fat sour cream for extra richness. For seasoning, it’s simple: one teaspoon of garlic powder, one teaspoon of kosher salt, and half a teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. And of course, the star of the show – one whole 32-ounce package of frozen tater tots! That’s all you need for pure comfort food magic.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole
So, let’s chat about these ingredients for a second. That cream of mushroom soup is really the backbone of the creamy sauce, giving it that classic, savory flavor. If mushrooms aren’t your thing, you could try cream of celery soup, but it won’t have quite the same depth. For the cheese, sharp cheddar gives a great bite, but Monterey Jack or a Colby-Jack blend works beautifully too! If you’re looking for a lighter option, you can totally swap out the ground beef for ground turkey – just make sure to drain any excess fat. And for a dairy-free twist, you could try a dairy-free milk alternative and a dairy-free shredded cheese, though the creaminess might be a little different. These simple choices really make this Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole your own!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole
Alright, let’s get this deliciousness in the oven! It’s super straightforward, so don’t worry if you’re new to cooking. First things first, go ahead and preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While that’s warming up, let’s get our base ready.
Preparing the Casserole Base
In a skillet over medium heat, toss in your ground beef and diced onion. Cook them together, breaking up the beef with your spoon, until it’s all nicely browned and the onion is soft and a little see-through. Make sure to drain off any extra grease – nobody wants a greasy casserole! Then, stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup, the milk, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Give it all a good mix until it’s smooth and creamy. You want it to look like a delicious, thick gravy ready for the next step.
Assembling the Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole
Now, grab your greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour that yummy beef mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly. Next, sprinkle that shredded cheddar cheese all over the top. Try to get it as evenly distributed as you can; more cheese is always a good thing! Finally, arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer right on top of the cheese. You want them to touch each other a bit so they get nice and crispy all over.
Baking Your Perfect Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole
Pop that dish into your preheated oven. Let it bake for about 30 to 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when those tater tots are a beautiful golden brown and look super crispy, and the cheese underneath is all melted and bubbly. It smells amazing at this point! Once it’s out of the oven, let it sit for just about 5 minutes to cool down a little before you dig in. That makes it easier to serve and prevents any accidental tongue burns!
Tips for the Best Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole
Want your Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole to be absolutely perfect? A few little tricks can make all the difference! To get those tater tots super crispy and avoid a soggy bottom, make sure you don’t overcook the beef mixture before adding the tots. Also, arranging the tater tots in a single, even layer is key – don’t pile them up too much. If you love extra flavor, feel free to bump up the garlic powder or add a pinch of paprika to the beef mixture. And if you’re a fan of onions but don’t want big chunks, try sautéing them until they’re really soft before adding them to the beef. These little touches really elevate this classic comfort dish!
Serving and Storing Your Delicious Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole
This Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole is so hearty, it’s practically a meal all on its own! But if you want to round it out, a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette is perfect to cut through the richness. Or, some steamed green beans or broccoli add a nice bit of color and freshness. Once it’s cooled down a bit, any leftovers are fantastic! Just pop them into an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I like to pop a serving back in the oven at around 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until it’s heated through and the tater tots are still a little crispy. Microwaving works too, but you might lose a bit of that perfect crispiness on the tots.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can totally assemble the casserole (up to the point of adding the tater tots) a day in advance. Just cover it tightly and keep it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, add the tater tots and bake as directed, but you might need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time since it’ll be starting from cold.
Q: What can I serve with tater tot hamburger casserole?
This casserole is pretty much a meal in itself, but a fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette is a great contrast to the rich flavors. Some simple steamed veggies like broccoli or green beans also work really well!
Q: How do I prevent the tater tots from getting soggy?
The biggest keys are making sure your beef mixture isn’t too watery and arranging the tater tots in a single layer without overlapping too much. Baking it at the right temperature also helps them crisp up nicely. If you’re really worried, you can even bake the tater tots separately for about 10-15 minutes until they’re lightly golden, then add them to the casserole for the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
Q: Can I use a different type of condensed soup?
Sure! Cream of chicken or cream of celery soup are good substitutes if you don’t have cream of mushroom. Just know that the flavor profile will change a bit, but it will still be delicious!
Q: Can I add vegetables to this casserole?
Yes, you totally can! Frozen mixed vegetables (like peas, carrots, and corn) are a super easy addition. Just stir them into the beef mixture along with the soup and milk. It adds a nice bit of color and extra nutrition!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole
Here’s a general idea of what you’re getting with each serving of this comforting Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole: approximately 420 calories, 25g of fat (with about 10g saturated), 18g of protein, and 32g of carbohydrates. Keep in mind these numbers are estimates and can change a bit depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use!
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Easy Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole: 1 Hour Yum
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A hearty and easy-to-make casserole combining tater tots, ground beef, and cheese for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 package (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Brown ground beef with diced onion in a skillet over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top.
- Arrange tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until tater tots are golden and crispy.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey for a lighter version.
- Add frozen mixed vegetables for extra nutrition.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: tater tot casserole, hamburger casserole, easy dinner, comfort food