Crunchy Tater Tot Casserole
Crunchy Tater Tot Casserole
This Tater Tot Casserole layers seasoned ground beef, melted cheddar, and a creamy filling under a blanket of crispy golden tater tots. Keeping the tots frozen until the final step, then arranging them in a single layer, is the small detail that keeps the topping genuinely crispy instead of soft. It comes together in about an hour using simple pantry staples, and it is exactly the kind of dinner that gets requested by name.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Brown ground beef with onion, then drain excess fat.
- Add garlic, then stir in soup, milk, corn, and seasonings.
- Spread into a greased baking dish and top with cheese.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a single even layer on top.
- Bake at 400°F for 35 to 40 minutes until tots are golden and filling bubbles.
- Rest 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Keep the tater tots frozen until the moment they go on top of the casserole; thawed tots turn soft instead of crispy in the oven.
Notes
- Drain the beef thoroughly to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Arrange the tots in a single layer without much overlap for the crispiest result.
- Let the casserole rest before serving so the filling sets properly.
- A 9x13 inch baking dish gives the filling and tot topping enough room to cook evenly.