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Close up shot of golden-brown tater tots topped with melted orange cheddar and green scallions. (Tater Tot Casserole)

Tater Tot Casserole with Crispy Golden Tots and Sharp Melted Cheddar

This Tater Tot Casserole features a rich ground beef base in a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with perfectly crispy golden-brown tots and a thick layer of bubbling, toasted sharp cheddar cheese and fresh scallions.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Casserole Ingredients
  • 1.5 lbs Ground Beef 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio
  • 21 oz Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup 2 cans
  • 1/2 cup Whole Milk To thin the sauce
  • 1 tsp Coarse Black Pepper Visible flecks
  • 32 oz Frozen Tater Tots Keep frozen until use
  • 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese Freshly shredded
  • 3 tbsp Fresh Scallions Sliced thin
  • 1 tsp Dried Parsley Flakes Dusting

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 Ceramic Baking Dish White ceramic is preferred for even heat distribution.
  • 1 Large Cast-Iron Skillet Used for browning the beef to develop deep flavor.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large skillet, brown the ground beef until no pink remains and a deep crust forms. Drain excess grease.
  2. Stir in the mushroom soup, milk, and black pepper. Scrape the pan to incorporate the browned bits into the beige sauce.
  3. Spread the beef mixture in the baking dish. Arrange frozen tots in tight rows on top. Bake for 30-35 minutes until tots are golden and crispy.
  4. Top with cheddar and bake 5-10 more minutes until cheese is bubbling with brown spots. Garnish with scallions and parsley.

Notes

Always use frozen tots for maximum crunch.
Sharp cheddar provides the best color and flavor contrast.