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Crispy Loaded Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef Easy Recipe

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A comforting and crowd-pleasing casserole combining crispy tater tots, seasoned ground beef, and a rich homemade cheese sauce. Perfect for quick family dinners with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 32 oz (900 g) frozen tater tots
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 tbsp (60 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (480 ml) milk (whole or 2%)
  • 2 cups (200 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • Green onions, sliced (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease the 9×13 inch baking dish lightly with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for about 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon. When it’s about halfway cooked, add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Continue cooking until beef is browned and onions are translucent, about 3-4 minutes more. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Sprinkle in smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and remove from heat.
  4. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is bubbly and golden.
  5. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, around 5 minutes.
  6. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until smooth and melted. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
  7. Spread the cooked ground beef and onion mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the beef layer and gently spread to cover.
  8. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese sauce. They can overlap slightly.
  9. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese sauce is bubbly around the edges.
  10. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle sliced green onions on top if desired.

Notes

For extra crispy tots, arrange in a single layer and optionally bake separately for 10 minutes before assembling. Drain excess fat after browning beef to avoid greasiness. Whisk cheese sauce constantly to prevent lumps; strain if needed. Variations include using pepper jack cheese, ground turkey, or vegetarian substitutes like lentils or tempeh.

Nutrition

Keywords: tater tot casserole, ground beef casserole, cheese sauce, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal, crispy tater tots

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/crispy-loaded-tater-tot-casserole-with-ground-beef-easy-recipe/