Description
This easy Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole recipe features layers of savory ground beef, golden mushroom soup, sharp Cheddar cheese, and crispy frozen tater tots. Ready in under an hour, it serves 12 and is perfect for feeding a crowd. Customize with classic cheeseburger toppings like lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, ketchup, and mustard!
Ingredients
For the Casserole Base:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cans (10.5 oz each) condensed golden mushroom soup
- 3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
For the Topping:
- 1 package (32 oz) frozen tater tots (bite-size potato nuggets)
- Cooking spray (or butter-flavored spray)
Optional Garnishes:
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- Sliced pickles
- Diced tomatoes
- Ketchup and mustard for drizzling
Instructions
Place your chopped onion in a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with water. Microwave on high for 7–8 minutes until the onion becomes nice and soft. Drain well and set aside. This quick step removes the sharp bite and brings out the onion’s natural sweetness – no tears required!
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, grab your 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a generous coat of cooking spray. Don’t skip this step, it makes cleanup SO much easier!
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add your ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s completely browned and crumbly. You want no pink remaining! Drain off any excess grease – this keeps your casserole from becoming greasy.
If you’re adding extra seasonings like garlic powder, salt, or pepper, now’s the time to stir them in!
Start by spreading the cooked ground beef evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Next, scatter the softened onion over the beef layer – try to distribute it evenly so every bite gets some onion sweetness. Now, open both cans of golden mushroom soup and spread them evenly over the onion layer. Finally, sprinkle all 3 cups of shredded Cheddar cheese on top.
Here comes the fun part! Arrange your frozen tater tots in neat, even rows across the cheese layer. I like to line them up in straight rows because it looks impressive and ensures even cooking. Don’t thaw the tots first – they go in frozen!
Pop the casserole into your preheated 350°F oven and bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, carefully remove the dish and give the tops of the tater tots a light spray with cooking spray. This helps them get extra crispy and golden! Return to the oven for another 10 minutes, or until the tots are beautifully golden and crispy on top.
Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving, this helps everything set up slightly and makes it easier to scoop. Serve warm with your favorite cheeseburger inspired garnishes!
Notes
Avoid Sogginess: Make sure your oven is fully preheated before baking. A hot oven helps the bottom layers set while the tots crisp up.
Make It Crispier: For ULTRA-crispy tots, turn on your broiler for the last 1–2 minutes of cooking. Watch it closely so they don’t burn!
Smart Shortcut: If you’re really pressed for time, skip the microwave step and sauté the onions directly with the ground beef. It adds 5 minutes but deepens the flavor even more.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don’t layer the tater tots before the cheese! The cheese needs to be directly under the tots so it melts perfectly and doesn’t dry out.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American