Tasty Tater Tot Casserole

This simple comfort food starts with a flavorful and meaty, made-from-scratch sauce. Topped with crispy tater tots and shredded cheese, then baked to perfection. It’s an easy, hearty dinner that everyone loves.

For more easy dinners, try our One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice or our Ground Beef Tacos.

Don’t knock the tater tots! While tater tots might remind you of your younger years, there’s nothing childish about this meal. It’s hearty, comforting, and packed with flavor. Plus, I love the hidden veggies—it’s so delicious and creamy that kids won’t even notice they’re in there! This easy comfort food casserole is perfect for busy weeknights and potlucks. Plus, it’s the perfect easy-to-transport meal if you find yourself needing to make dinner for a neighbor or friend.

Ingredient Notes

• Ground Beef: Go for lean ground beef (85/15 or 93/7) to minimize excess grease. You can also substitute with ground turkey, pork, or chicken.
• Onion: We used a white onion, but yellow onions work well too.
• Flour: This is the thickening agent for the sauce. Cornstarch can also be used in half the amount so for this recipe, you’d use 1/4 cup of cornstarch.
• Beef Broth: Use low-sodium broth to better control the flavor.
• Milk: Use whole, 2%, 1%, skim, or even milk alternatives. Whatever you’ve got on hand.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Can substitute with soy sauce with a splash of vinegar.
• Corn Kernels: Canned corn works perfectly, just be sure to drain the liquid. You can also use frozen.
• Green Beans: Canned green beans work great. You can use cut or French-style green beans. Frozen works too!
• Tater Tots: Found in the frozen aisle near the French fries.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: We recommend freshly shredded cheddar cheese as it melts better than pre-shredded, which contains additives.

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Make Ahead

This tater tot casserole is already incredibly easy to assemble right before baking, but you can easily make this ahead of time. Simply prepare the dish, but skip the baking part. Instead, cover it up nice and tight with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then pop it in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

When it’s time to bake, pull it out and let it hang at room temperature for 20 minutes while the oven preheats. Then bake as directed, adding an extra 5–10 minutes to make sure it’s hot and cooked all the way through.

Make it A Freezer Meal

Make this meal ahead of time and freeze it for future use! Assemble the casserole but don’t bake it yet. Wrap the dish tightly in two layers of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil to keep it fresh and prevent freezer burn. Be sure to label it with the date and baking instructions—it’ll stay good for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to enjoy, bake as directed, adding 10–15 extra minutes to ensure it’s fully heated through.

Pro tip: Freeze in smaller portions for convenient, individual meals. Simply reheat in the microwave or oven whenever hunger strikes!