Best Ever Tater Tot Casserole

I realize it sounds brash to say that this is the “Best Ever Tater Tot Casserole,” but you guys, it really, really is!!! If you love casseroles and potatoes, you have also got to try Yummy Funeral Potatoes.

“I MAKE THE BEST TATER TOT CASSEROLE IN THE WORLD!” (Me dropping the Mic.)

I learned a trick back when I was student teaching at an elementary school, and it changed my life–or at least my Tater Tot Casserole skills.

We were newly married and super poor. So most days I would take my own lunch to school. However, once I found out this school was famous for its tater tot casserole, I knew I had to try it.

Next time they served it, I brought money to buy lunch. Holy smokes! It really was the best tater tot casserole I had ever had. It was sooooo good!

Me being me, and needing to know how I could duplicate this, I tried with all my might to figure out all the different ingredients. I thought I had it figured out, but wanted to make sure, so I went to talk to the head lunch lady.

For All Casserole Lovers

• Easy Lasagna Casserole
• Crustless Quiche Egg Casserole
• {Copycat} Trader Joe’s Zucchini Alfredo Casserole
• Broccoli Chicken Casserole with Egg Noodles
• Creamy Beef and Green Chili Casserole
• Thirty Minute Albacore Tuna Casserole
• Nacho Casserole

I’m pretty sure she thought I was crazy, but I didn’t care. I told her how great the casserole was and asked her if they had a secret ingredient that made it so good. I told her I was pretty sure it was just ground beef, onion, cream of mushroom soup, and a little sour cream with the tater tots and cheese on top.

She told me all of those things were in it, but there was one more ingredient. I was hanging on her every word.

What? What is it? What could it be?

Ketchup! A quarter-size squirt of ketchup!

Wow, really? A little squirt of ketchup has the power to make something so delicious?

I trusted her and gave it a shot!

It worked! It really is that little bit of acid and sweetness from the ketchup that makes all the difference.

I now knew the secret. Unfortunately, we were still poor, and 2 lbs of hamburger was a lot of meat to use in one meal. I decided to try using 1 lb of meat and then grating/finely chopping a bunch of veggies I always kept on hand– carrots, celery, onion, potato, and mushrooms or zucchini if I had them.

The veggies would have to make up for the other pound of meat.

It worked great and (in my humble opinion) makes it taste even better. Everyone I ever serve this to LOVES it!

I also have made one more addition. You know me, always trying to get one more veggie into my kids. I now put a couple of cups of frozen green beans on the bottom of the pan. It adds another veggie. The best part is all the delicious flavors from everything else cooks into the beans, making them extra tasty.

Such an awesome veggie-packed meal that the whole family loves. This is one of a small handful of dinners that Trever actually eats seconds and thirds. It makes me so happy that all those veggies are hiding in it and going into his little body.

If you don’t want to use extra veggies, that is fine. Just make sure to use the onion and add another pound of meat. It will be awesome!

When I think of comfort foods, Tator Tot Casserole is right up there, and I’m telling you this one is the best! You’ve got to try it!

step-by-step photos on how to make best ever tater tot casserole

Tips for making the Best Ever Tater Tot Casserole

• Use a food processor to finely chop the vegetables.
• Instead of defrosting the frozen green beans in the oven while it’s preheating, you can put the frozen green beans in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes.
• Add another stalk of celery in place of the zucchini or mushrooms.
• If the cheese hasn’t melted after 10-15 minutes, put the dish under the broiler for a few minutes.

Chef’s Tools:

• Food Processor
• Chef’s Knife
• Cutting Board
• 9×13 Baking Dish
• Serving Spoons

More Amazing Casseroles

Mexican Casserole {Perfect Weeknight Meal}Broccoli Casserole with Chicken…can be made in 30 minutes or less…Disappearing Casserole {Leftover Makeover}

5.0 from 3 reviews

Best Ever Tater Tot Casserole

 

Print

Prep time

25 mins

Cook time

1 hour

Total time

1 hour 25 mins

 

Absolutely delicious and comforting Tater Tot Casserole, stuffed with veggies, piled high with cheese, and a surprise secret ingredient that makes it perfect!

Author: Maria

Recipe type: Casserole

Cuisine: Dinner

Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1 or 1½ pounds ground beef or turkey
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped or grated
• 2 medium carrots, finely chopped or grated
• 1 large stalk of celery, finely chopped or grated
• 1 small zucchini or 4 ounces of mushrooms, finely chopped or grated
• 1 medium potato, finely chopped or grated.
• 2 cups frozen green beans
• 1 12 oz can cream of mushroom soup
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• Salt and pepper
• Tater tots (1 regular size bag)
• 2 cups shredded mild cheddar or Colby jack cheese

Instructions

1. In a food processor, with a grater or your favorite knife, very finely chop the carrots, celery, onion, potato, zucchini, or mushrooms, so they will just be tiny specs when cooked.
2. In a large sauté pan, add the ground beef and tiny veggie specs. Cook until ground beef is browned and veggies are tender. Generously salt and pepper while it is cooking--at least ¾-1 tsp salt and about ⅛ tsp pepper.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
4. Put frozen green beans in the bottom of a 9x13 pan and place in the preheating oven for 4-5 minutes (set a timer) to help the green beans defrost. By doing this step, the green beans will cook more evenly.
5. Once beef and veggies are ready, add the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and ketchup. Mix thoroughly.
6. Pour mixture over the defrosted green beans in the bottom of the 9x13 dish.
7. Put a layer of tater tots over the meat/veggie mixture.
8. Place in the 350-degree oven uncovered for 45 minutes.
9. Take casserole out and cover with the two cups of shredded cheese.
10. Return to oven for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted to your preference.
11. Once the cheese is browned, the casserole is ready to serve.
12. Enjoy!

3.4.3177

Don't Forget Dessert

Berry Cobbler Recipe…Make it for one, two or twenty….Blondie No Bake CookiesAwesome Double Chocolate Cookies