Name: Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 10 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 teaspoon pepper; ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 32-oz. bag frozen Tater Tots® (DO NOT THAW); 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 15 oz. can green beans, drained; 1 cup sweet corn (canned and drained or frozen, not thawed); 1 cup petite frozen peas, not thawed

There’s something downright comforting about the crispy crunch of tater tots paired with a rich, melty cheesy sauce bubbling underneath. This Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe has become a go-to in my kitchen because it brings together simple ingredients into a warm, satisfying meal that everyone raves about. It's just that perfect mix of creamy, crispy, and cozy all in one bite.

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

Honestly, this Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe is the kind of meal that hits all the comfort-food notes. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or prepping a crowd-pleaser for friends, it’s filling, flavorful, and pretty foolproof. And here’s why it’s such a winner in my book.

Ultimate Comfort Food: Crispy tater tots layered over creamy, cheesy goodness create a texture combo that’s irresistible.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: Ground beef, veggies, and a homemade cream sauce come together to make something really special without complicated steps.
Customizable & Kid-Friendly: Easy to tweak with your favorite veggies or spices, and kids especially love the crispy tops.
Perfect for Busy Nights & Make-Ahead: Prep it ahead, pop it in the oven when you’re ready, and relax while it works its magic.

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

The beauty of this casserole lies in how each ingredient plays a role in building layers of texture and flavor. From the savory, spiced beef to the creamy sauce and crisp tater tot topping, every element complements the other perfectly. Most of these items are pantry staples or easy to find frozen veggies, so it’s pretty convenient to whip up anytime cravings strike.

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: Adds hearty, meaty flavor without too much grease; browning it well is key.
Olive oil: Helps gently sauté onions and keeps everything from sticking.
Yellow onion: Brings sweetness and depth when sautéed tender.
Garlic cloves: Adds a punch of savory aroma; don’t skip this!
Chili powder & dried herbs (parsley, thyme): Layer subtle warmth and fresh notes into the beef.
Salt, pepper, smoked paprika: Seasoning essentials that make flavors pop.
Frozen Tater Tots® (unthawed): The star topping that crisps perfectly in the oven.
Flour: Thickens the cream sauce, giving it that silky texture that holds everything together.
Low sodium chicken broth & milk: Creates a creamy base without overpowering the other flavors.
Reduced-sodium soy sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce: Adds umami and a hint of tangy sweetness to the sauce.
Beef bouillon: Boosts the savory depth, kind of like secret magic in the sauce.
Dijon mustard: Brightens with a subtle tang that balances richness.
Sharp cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully for gooey, flavorful layers.
Sour cream or Greek yogurt: Adds creaminess and a slight tang to round out the sauce.
Canned green beans, corn, peas: Colorful veggies that add sweet freshness and a bit of bite.
Fresh parsley (optional): For a pop of color and freshness when serving.

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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

I’ve played around with this casserole quite a bit, and honestly, it’s one of those recipes that loves a little personal twist. Whether you swap in different veggies or adjust the spice levels, it always turns out delicious. So don’t be shy—make it your own!

Variation: I once stirred in some cooked mushrooms and swapped green beans for broccoli florets—my family loved the earthier flavor and extra crunch.
Vegetarian version: Swap the ground beef for a plant-based crumble or sautéed mushrooms and use vegetable broth for the sauce.
Spicy kick: Add a pinch of cayenne or some hot sauce into the cream sauce if you like a little heat.
Cheese swaps: Feel free to try a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack or even pepper jack for a zesty edge.

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

Step 1: Sauté onions & brown the beef just right

Start off heating olive oil in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in your chopped yellow onion and let it sauté for about 3 minutes until it’s soft and fragrant—not browned. Then add your lean ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain the excess grease so your casserole won’t turn out oily. Finally, add minced garlic and all the seasonings (chili powder, parsley, thyme, salt, pepper, smoked paprika) and cook for another minute. The smell at this point? Absolutely mouthwatering.

Step 2: Build the creamy sauce slowly and carefully

Sprinkle the flour evenly over the beef mixture, stirring constantly for about a minute. This little step is crucial—it helps thicken your sauce so it clings with cheesy goodness instead of going runny. Now lower the heat and gradually whisk in one cup of chicken broth followed by the milk to avoid lumps. Then add the soy sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, beef bouillon, and Dijon mustard. Keep whisking as the sauce slowly comes to a gentle simmer. This will take around 7 minutes; patience pays off here. Remember, this thickness is what’ll keep your casserole perfect after baking.

Step 3: Melt cheese, stir in veggies, and season to taste

As soon as the sauce thickens, take the pot off the heat. Whisk in half a cup of shredded sharp cheddar until it melts into that velvety sauce, then fold in sour cream or Greek yogurt for a tangy creamy touch. Stir in your drained green beans, corn, and peas. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash more chicken broth to loosen it slightly—but keep it thick enough so the tots don’t sink. Give it a quick taste and add salt or pepper if needed.

Step 4: Assemble & layer for max crispy cheesy goodness

Now transfer this luscious cheesy beef and veggie mixture to your sprayed 9"x13" casserole dish. Sprinkle half a cup of cheddar evenly over the top. Then create a neat, even layer of frozen tater tots on the surface—you probably won’t need the whole bag, so save some for a snack! This layering locks in the creamy inside and delivers that scrumptiously crisp golden crust.

Step 5: Bake and broil for that perfect finish

Bake the casserole in your preheated 350°F oven for 45 to 50 minutes, until the tater tots turn golden and the whole dish bubbles around the edges. If you want to go all out on crispiness, switch to broil mode for the last few minutes—just watch carefully so nothing burns. Finally, sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar on top and pop it back in the oven for 5 more minutes until it melts. Let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving to let everything set up nicely.

Top Tip

This Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe is a favorite of mine not just for its taste but because it’s so forgiving when it comes to timing and layers. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few tricks that help make sure it turns out perfectly every time.

Don’t thaw the tots: I used to think thawing would help cook them better, but leaving tater tots frozen lets them crisp up nicely while baking without getting soggy.
Make a thick sauce: Simmer your cream sauce long enough to thicken before baking — this stops the tots from sinking and keeps the casserole’s layers distinct.
Use fresh sharp cheddar: Pre-grated cheese can have anti-caking agents that change texture; grating your own makes melty cheesy magic.
Rest before serving: Letting the casserole cool 10 minutes after baking helps it set so slices hold together better on your plate.

How to Serve Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

My go-to garnishes are fresh chopped parsley for a bright, herbaceous contrast and a little extra sprinkle of shredded cheddar for fun. Sometimes I add a dollop of sour cream on the side if I want an extra tangy creaminess. A few thinly sliced green onions or chives also add a nice fresh bite.

Side Dishes

I usually keep the sides simple and fresh — a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or steamed broccoli pairs beautifully to cut through all that richness. Sometimes I serve with a tangy coleslaw or even roasted Brussels sprouts tossed with a little balsamic for a more substantial veggie side.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I’ve assembled this casserole in individual ramekins so everyone gets their own bubbling cheesy dish with perfect crispy tops. It’s a real crowd-pleaser at casual dinner parties. I also love serving it with fun toppings like crispy bacon bits, diced avocado, or a drizzle of hot sauce for added layers of flavor and texture.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying dinner, I let leftovers cool completely before storing. I keep them tightly covered in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When I dig in the next day, it still tastes great—just a little less crispy on top.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this casserole successfully a couple of times by assembling it without the tater tots, wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freezing for up to 2 months. When I’m ready to bake, I thaw it overnight in the fridge, then add frozen tater tots on top and bake as directed, adding extra baking time as needed.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, I find the best way is in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes covered loosely with foil to avoid drying out. For an extra crispy finish, I remove the foil in the last 5 minutes. Microwave works in a pinch but may soften the crispy tots.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen tater tots?

Using fresh potatoes is possible but the texture won’t be the same — tater tots provide that uniquely crispy, uniform crunch that really defines this casserole. If you want, you can make homemade tater tots or use frozen hash browns as a substitute.

Is this casserole suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! This recipe is fantastic for meal prep. Assemble everything ahead except the tater tots, store it covered in the fridge, and add the frozen tots just before baking. It saves lots of time on busy weeknights.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes! Use a gluten-free flour blend to thicken the sauce and ensure your soy sauce and beef bouillon are gluten-free. This way, you’ll still get the creamy texture without gluten concerns.

How do I prevent the casserole from becoming soggy?

The key is to simmer the cream sauce until it’s nice and thick before baking, and don’t thaw the tater tots—they crisp much better when frozen. Also, draining excess grease from the beef ensures the casserole doesn’t get watery.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe is truly one of those comforting, crowd-pleasing dishes that somehow makes me feel right at home every time I make it. It’s warm, hearty, and bursting with flavor, but still so approachable to prepare. I always think of it as the cozy hug you can eat—and I can’t recommend giving it a go enough. Grab your ingredients, put on some good music, and enjoy every cheesy, crispy bite. You’ve got this!