Crispy Tater Tot Ground Beef & Potato Casserole Recipe

I love cooking almost as much as I love eating. But I absolutely despise doing dishes.

That mountain of greasy pots and pans after a big meal? It’s the ultimate buzzkill. That’s why I’m obsessed with recipes that deliver maximum flavor with minimal cleanup.

This Crispy Tater Tot Ground Beef & Potato Casserole is my ultimate weeknight hero. It’s the kind of hearty, satisfying meal that makes everyone happy, especially the person on dish duty. If you’re looking for more comforting one-pot meals, you should definitely try our hearty chicken stew recipe.

Recipe Overview

Let me give you the quick lowdown on this family favorite. It’s as straightforward as it is delicious.

• Cuisine: American
• Category: Dinner
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Servings: 6

The Magic of a One-Pot (or One-Pan) Meal

I remember the first time I made a true one-pan meal; it felt like I had discovered a secret cheat code for life. The beauty of this dish is its incredible simplicity.

Everything comes together in a single baking dish. You brown the beef, build the layers, and pop it in the oven. That means you get to spend less time scrubbing and more time relaxing with your family.

All You Need (One Pot & These Ingredients)

Gathering your ingredients is half the battle, and I promise this list is simple. You probably have most of these items in your pantry right now, which is a huge win in my book.

The star players are the ground beef and those glorious tater tots. They create the perfect texture and flavor combo that’s impossible to resist.

The Full Ingredient List

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this cozy masterpiece. I always recommend using the best quality ingredients you can for the most flavorful result.

Recipe

Crispy Tater Tot Ground Beef & Potato Casserole Recipe

Make Crispy Tater Tot Ground Beef & Potato Casserole Recipe with simple ingredients and clear steps. Prep, cook, and enjoy—perfect for cozy evenings.

Author: Emily Morgan

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 45 min | Total: 1 hour

Serves: - 4 + bites

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The Full Ingredient List

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

PREPARATION

1

First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a large, oven-safe skillet or a 9×13 inch baking dish. Using an oven-safe skillet means you can go from stovetop to oven without transferring anything—my favorite trick!

2

Now, brown the ground beef with the diced onion over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once the beef is no longer pink, drain any excess grease. This is a key step for a non-greasy final dish.

3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for just one more minute until it’s fragrant. You’ll know it’s ready when your kitchen smells amazing.

4

Next, add the cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, frozen corn, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir until it’s beautifully combined and simmering.

5

If you’re using a baking dish, transfer the beef mixture now. Otherwise, just spread it evenly in your skillet. This is your flavorful base layer.

6

Here comes the fun part! Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, tight layer over the beef mixture. I like to make a nice pattern—it makes the final product look extra special.

7

Slide your creation into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. The filling will be bubbling around the edges, which is exactly what you want to see.

8

Carefully remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the tater tots. The residual heat will start melting it immediately.

9

Return the casserole to the oven for another 10-15 minutes. You’re waiting for the cheese to be perfectly melted and bubbly, and the tater tots to be a deep, golden brown and crispy.

10

Let the casserole rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to settle and makes it easier to scoop out perfect portions.

Notes

Enjoy your homemade Crispy Tater Tot Ground Beef & Potato Casserole Recipe!

Nutrition Information

Calories: ~480

Protein: 25g

Carbohydrates: 35g

Fat: 26g

Did You Make This?

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• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

PREPARATION

Follow these steps, and you’ll have a golden, bubbly casserole with virtually no mess. I’ve perfected this method through many, many happy (and clean) dinners. For another delicious dinner option that’s equally easy to prepare, check out our creamy spinach mushroom pasta.

1. First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a large, oven-safe skillet or a 9×13 inch baking dish. Using an oven-safe skillet means you can go from stovetop to oven without transferring anything—my favorite trick!
2. Now, brown the ground beef with the diced onion over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once the beef is no longer pink, drain any excess grease. This is a key step for a non-greasy final dish.
3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for just one more minute until it’s fragrant. You’ll know it’s ready when your kitchen smells amazing.
4. Next, add the cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, frozen corn, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir until it’s beautifully combined and simmering.
5. If you’re using a baking dish, transfer the beef mixture now. Otherwise, just spread it evenly in your skillet. This is your flavorful base layer.
6. Here comes the fun part! Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, tight layer over the beef mixture. I like to make a nice pattern—it makes the final product look extra special.
7. Slide your creation into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. The filling will be bubbling around the edges, which is exactly what you want to see.
8. Carefully remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the tater tots. The residual heat will start melting it immediately.
9. Return the casserole to the oven for another 10-15 minutes. You’re waiting for the cheese to be perfectly melted and bubbly, and the tater tots to be a deep, golden brown and crispy.
10. Let the casserole rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to settle and makes it easier to scoop out perfect portions.

Pro-Tips for Perfect One-Pot Cooking

I’ve learned a few things after making this recipe more times than I can count. These small tweaks make a big difference in the final result.

First, don’t stir too much after you add the tater tots. You want them to stay in place to get that ideal crispy texture on top.

Always use the right size pot or pan. A 9×13 inch baking dish or a large (12-inch) oven-safe skillet is perfect. If your pan is too small, the casserole will be too deep and won’t cook evenly.

For an extra crispy top, you can give it a quick blast under the broiler for the last 2-3 minutes. Just keep a very close eye on it so it doesn’t burn!

Storing & Reheating (Easy!)

This casserole is fantastic for leftovers, which is great for my “cook once, eat twice” philosophy. The flavors meld together even more overnight.

Let any leftovers cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days.

To reheat, I find the oven or air fryer works best to keep the tots crispy. Spread a portion in an oven-safe dish and heat at 350°F until warm. The microwave works in a pinch, but the tots will soften.

Nutrition Notes

While this is a comforting dish, it’s helpful to know what you’re enjoying. Here’s a basic breakdown per serving.

• Calories: ~480
• Protein: 25g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fat: 26g

If you’re looking for more family-friendly dinner ideas that everyone will love, you should definitely try our easy chicken tacos recipe for your next taco night.

Your One-Pot Questions, Answered

I get a lot of questions about this recipe, so I’ve answered the most common ones right here for you.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time since it will be going into the oven cold.

What can I use instead of cream of mushroom soup?

If you’re not a fan of mushroom soup, cream of chicken or celery soup works wonderfully. You could also make a simple white sauce from scratch with butter, flour, and milk for a from-scratch version.

Can I add other vegetables to this dish?

Please do! This recipe is very forgiving. I often add a handful of frozen peas or green beans along with the corn. Diced bell peppers are also a fantastic addition when you’re browning the beef.

There you have it—a dinner that’s guaranteed to please a crowd and keep your sink empty. It’s the perfect solution for a busy weeknight when you want something hearty without the hassle.

I hope this recipe brings as much joy and free time to your kitchen as it has to mine. It’s a true testament that the best meals don’t have to create a pile of dirty dishes.

Enjoy all that flavor (and your clean kitchen!). Let me know how it went by leaving a comment and rating below!