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Baked tater tot casserole in a white baking dish with golden crispy tater tots over a creamy ground beef, green bean, and cheddar cheese filling.

Tater Tot Casserole

This tater tot casserole is a cozy, family-friendly dinner made with seasoned ground beef, green beans, cheddar cheese, and a creamy sauce under a crispy golden tater tot topping. It’s an easy baked casserole recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, and nostalgic comfort food cravings.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Casserole
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup whole milk
  • 1 1/2 cups cut green beans, drained if canned or thawed if frozen
  • 2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 bag frozen tater tots, about 28 to 32 ounces

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
  2. Heat butter or olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened.
  3. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
  4. Stir in the garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and parsley. Cook for 1 minute.
  5. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, green beans, and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese until evenly combined.
  6. Spread the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  7. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the filling.
  8. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top.
  9. Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling and the tater tots are golden and crispy.
  10. Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use freshly shredded sharp cheddar for the best flavor and melt.
Use the tater tots straight from the freezer. Do not thaw them first.
For the best texture, arrange the tater tots in a single layer instead of piling them randomly on top.
Canned green beans give this casserole the most classic flavor. Frozen green beans work too, but thaw them first so they do not water down the filling.
For a crispier top, broil the casserole for 1–2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
Make Ahead: Prepare the filling and spread it into the baking dish. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add the frozen tater tots just before baking, then bake as directed, adding 5–10 extra minutes if the casserole is cold from the fridge.