Name: Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 yellow onion, chopped; 3-4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tsp chili powder; 1 tsp dried parsley; ½ tsp dried thyme; ½ tsp salt; ¼ tsp pepper; ¼ tsp smoked paprika; 1 15 oz. can green beans, drained; 1 cup sweet corn (canned and drained or frozen, not thawed); 1 cup petite frozen peas, not thawed; Fresh parsley for garnish (optional); ¼ cup flour; 1¼ cups low sodium chicken broth, divided; 1 cup milk; 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce; 2 tablespoons ketchup; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 2 teaspoons beef bouillon (granulated, base or crushed cubes); 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard; 8 oz. (2 packed cups) freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided; ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt; 1 32-oz. bag frozen Tater Tots® (DON'T THAW)

There’s something so comforting about the perfect blend of crispy, cheesy, and hearty all in one dish—that’s exactly why I’m excited to share this Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe with you. It’s a classic that hits every nostalgic note, made even better by a creamy sauce and those golden, crispy tots you can’t resist.

A white rectangular baking dish filled with a layered casserole, the top layer consisting of crispy golden-brown tater tots evenly spread across the surface, melted bright orange cheddar cheese draped over the tater tots, and finely chopped green herbs sprinkled on top as garnish. Underneath, visible layers show a thick, rich brown ground meat and vegetable mixture, including yellow corn. One corner of the casserole is scooped out with a large silver spatula held by a woman's hand, revealing the layers clearly. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with some scattered herbs around it and a beige cloth with blue stripes nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe is one of those comfort food heroes I turn to when I want to impress without fussing. It’s layered with flavors, textures, and a gorgeous cheesy top, making it a winner for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Ultimate Comfort Food: The creamy beef sauce and crispy tater tots come together for a cozy dish everybody loves.
Easy to Make: Despite feeling fancy, this casserole comes together in under an hour with straightforward steps.
Customizable: You can swap veggies, use different cheeses, or add spices to make it your own.
Great for Leftovers: It reheats beautifully and even freezes for those days you want no-cook comfort food ready to go.

The dish is a layered casserole in a white baking dish on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a mix of cooked ground meat with visible yellow corn kernels and green peas, creating a chunky textured base. Above it is a layer of rice mixed with the meat and vegetables. The top layer consists of golden brown tater tots arranged closely together, covered with melted bright orange cheddar cheese that is shiny and slightly bubbly. There are small green parsley pieces sprinkled on top, adding color contrast. A metal serving spoon is scooping one portion from the dish, showing the layers clearly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

These ingredients are stars on their own but together they make magic. The juicy ground beef builds the base, while the creamy sauce keeps it moist and rich. The frozen tater tots not only add texture but also a crispy golden crown that’s irresistible.

Flat lay of a mound of fresh lean ground beef, a small pool of golden olive oil in a white ceramic bowl, a yellow onion whole and uncut, three uncracked garlic cloves, small white bowls with chili powder, dried parsley, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika powders, a loose pile of frozen golden tater tots, fresh sprigs of parsley, a white ceramic bowl with pale flour, a white bowl containing light golden chicken broth, another white bowl with fresh whole milk, a small white bowl with dark amber soy sauce, a small white bowl with vibrant red ketchup, a white bowl with dark Worcestershire sauce, a little white bowl with coarse beef bouillon granules, a white bowl with bright yellow Dijon mustard, a neat heap of freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, a white bowl holding smooth white sour cream, a small cluster of fresh green beans, a small mound of bright yellow corn kernels, a small pile of petite frozen green peas, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Lean Ground Beef: I find lean beef helps keep it from becoming greasy but still packs flavor—you'll want to brown it well.
Yellow Onion: Adds sweetness and depth when sautéed just right.
Garlic: A must for that warm, aromatic kick.
Chili Powder & Smoked Paprika: These spices bring a subtle smoky warmth that makes this casserole stand out.
Frozen Tater Tots: The star of the show—keep them frozen until you’re ready so they crisp up perfectly in the oven.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Freshly shredded cheese melts better and gives that bold cheesy punch.
Chicken Broth & Milk: These make the creamy base without being too heavy.
Soy Sauce & Worcestershire Sauce: Umami boosters that deepen the flavor of your cream sauce.
Frozen or Canned Veggies (Green Beans, Corn, Peas): They add color and texture while keeping it hearty and wholesome.
Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: Brings a light tang that balances out the richness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this cheesy tater tot casserole recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to your personal taste. Whether you want to add more kick or swap veggies, there’s room to play around.

Variation: Some of my friends love adding a bit of cooked bacon or swapping the ground beef with ground turkey for a lighter version—both delicious!
Dairy-Free: You can switch the cheddar to a dairy-free cheese and use plant-based milk to accommodate dietary needs.
Extra Veggies: Feel free to throw in chopped bell peppers or mushrooms to add a fresh layer of flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Sauté Onions and Brown the Beef

Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat, then toss in chopped onions. I like to sauté them for about three minutes until soft and fragrant—that’s when they release their magic. Next, add the lean ground beef and cook, breaking it up as it browns evenly. Drain off any excess grease, then stir in minced garlic and your spices (chili powder, parsley, thyme, salt, pepper, smoked paprika). Cook that for about a minute until the garlic’s intoxicating aroma fills your kitchen.

Step 2: Create the Cream Sauce

Sprinkle the flour over the browned beef mixture, stirring constantly for a minute to cook the raw taste away. Now, reduce the heat to low and gradually whisk in the chicken broth and milk. Adding soy sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, beef bouillon, and Dijon mustard next really rounds the sauce out with deep umami notes. Simmer gently, whisking often, until thickened—this usually takes about 7 minutes. This step is super important because the sauce needs to be thick enough so your tater tots won’t sink and make a soggy mess.

Step 3: Add Cheese and Veggies

Stir off the heat and add half of your shredded sharp cheddar, whisking until melted. Then, fold in sour cream or Greek yogurt and those lovely veggies—green beans, corn, and peas. If the sauce looks too thick, splash in a bit more chicken broth to get a smooth but hearty consistency. Taste-test here and add salt and pepper as needed!

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Pour the beef and veggie mixture into your prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over it, then press a nice even layer of frozen tater tots on top—you won’t need the entire bag, so save some for snacking! Bake at 350°F for 45-50 minutes, until the tater tots are stunningly golden and the casserole bubbles around the edges. For extra crispiness, I like to broil the tops for just a few minutes, but watch carefully so they don’t burn.

Step 5: Finish with More Cheese

After the tots are beautifully browned, sprinkle the last bit of cheese over the top and pop it back in the oven for another 5 minutes or until melted and gooey. Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes—this helps it set and makes serving easier. If you like, sprinkle fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Top Tip

After making this Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe several times, I’ve learned a few tricks to nail the texture and flavor every time. These tips have saved me from soggy casseroles and underwhelming sauce.

Don’t thaw your tater tots: Keeping them frozen until they go into the oven ensures they crisp up perfectly instead of turning soggy.
Simmer sauce until thick: Patience here pays off because the final baked texture depends on it—too thin and your tots will sink.
Use freshly shredded cheese: Shredded from block cheese melts smoother and tastes so much better than pre-shredded.
Rest before serving: Letting the casserole cool slightly helps it firm up and makes serving neat, rather than runny.

How to Serve Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually top mine with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for color and a little brightness that contrasts nicely with the rich cheese and meat. Sometimes I add chopped green onions or a dash of hot sauce if I’m feeling a bit adventurous.

Side Dishes

This casserole is pretty filling, but I love pairing it with a crisp green salad to lighten things up or a side of steamed broccoli. Roasted Brussels sprouts also make a fantastic, flavorful complement.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist during holidays or potlucks, I’ve served this casserole in individual ramekins or mini cast iron skillets—everyone loves their own golden, bubbly personal portion!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers tightly covered in an airtight container or cover the casserole dish with foil. It keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheats well, making for effortless next-day meals.

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully—either assembled (without tater tots on top) or fully cooked. If freezing assembled, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil, then thaw in the fridge overnight before baking with fresh tots added last.

Reheating

I recommend reheating leftovers in the oven at 325°F, covered lightly with foil for about 20 minutes, then uncover for 5 minutes to crisp the tater tots back up. Microwave works in a pinch, but you lose some of that crispy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute the ground beef with another protein?

Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken works great and makes the casserole a bit lighter—just cook it thoroughly and adjust the seasoning to taste.

Do I have to use frozen tater tots, or can I use fresh potatoes?

Frozen tater tots are key for that crispy top layer and convenience, but if you prefer fresh potatoes, slice them thin and parboil them first to ensure they cook evenly and crisp nicely.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free or vegan?

You can! For dairy-free, swap cheddar for a plant-based cheese and use a non-dairy milk. For a vegan version, replace the beef with a plant-based ground meat and adjust seasonings accordingly.

What’s the best way to prevent the casserole from getting soggy?

Make sure your cream sauce is thick before assembling, and don’t thaw the tater tots before baking—they crisp up much better frozen. Also, letting the casserole rest after baking helps the sauce set and improves texture.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe really feels like a hug on a plate, one that I’m always happy to share with friends and family. It’s approachable, packed with flavor, and sure to bring smiles around the dinner table. Honestly, once you make it, you’ll find yourself keeping those frozen tots stocked just in case you want a quick, hearty meal that never disappoints. So grab your skillet, fire up the oven, and enjoy every cheesy, crispy bite—you’re going to love it!