This tater tot casserole with green beans is a cozy meal that even the pickiest eaters can’t resist. Loaded with ground beef, creamy goodness, and topped with crispy tater tots, this dish is a winner for any weeknight dinner.
This recipe solves challenges of blandness, lack of texture, and insufficient creaminess often found in traditional casseroles with tater tots and green beans.
I remember trying to whip this up for my family during one of those busy evenings. With kids running around and homework to tackle, I needed something quick and easy. The challenge? Getting everyone to eat their veggies without a fuss. This casserole does just that, hiding green beans in a comforting layer that my kids actually enjoy.
What’s great about this recipe is its simplicity. Prep takes only about 15 minutes and it bakes in around 45. That crispy golden top and melted cheese are just the icing on the cake for a satisfying meal.
If you’re curious about other tasty comfort food, check out my Ground Beef Hash Brown Casserole for another family favorite!
Table of contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Comforting and Hearty , Tater tot casserole delivers the cozy vibe of home cooking with layers of savory beef and creamy soup, topped with crispy tater tots that everyone loves.
- Effortless to Prepare , With just 15 minutes of prep, this casserole comes together quickly, letting you enjoy more time with family rather than being tied up in the kitchen.
- Lasting Freshness , This dish stays delicious for days, making it a fantastic option for leftovers that retain their flavor when stored in the fridge.
- Customizable Ingredients , You can easily switch up the veggies or seasonings based on what you have on hand, allowing for a personal twist that keeps meals exciting.
Tater Tot Casserole with Green Beans
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cool Time: —
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Green Bean Tater Tot Casserole , a family-friendly baked dinner with ground beef, green beans and melty cheddar.
Ingredients
-
- 1 ½ pounds (680 g) lean ground beef (around 80/20)
- 1 cup (150 g) diced onion
- 2 cups (280 g) frozen green beans
- 16 ounces (454 g) frozen tater tots
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded Cheddar cheese (sharp or aged)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 10.75 ounces (305 g) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup (120 g) sour cream
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to fully heat for even cooking. Spray a 2 ½-quart baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. Preheating helps the tater tots crisp nicely as the casserole bakes.
- Step 2: Brown Meat and Onion: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is no longer pink, about 6 minutes spread in an even layer. Drain excess fat carefully to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Step 3: Season and Mix: Stir into the cooked meat mixture the garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Then add the condensed cream of mushroom soup and sour cream. Mix thoroughly to evenly combine flavors and create a creamy texture binding the ingredients.
- Step 4: Layer the Casserole: Spread the seasoned meat mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Layer the frozen green beans over the meat, then sprinkle 1 cup (100 g) of shredded Cheddar cheese evenly over the green beans. This layering protects against sogginess while blending flavors well.
- Step 5: Top with Tater Tots: Evenly arrange the frozen tater tots over the casserole layers. Finish by sprinkling the remaining 1 cup (100 g) of shredded Cheddar cheese on top of the tater tots for a melty, golden crust.
- Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 45 minutes. The casserole is done when the tater tots turn golden and crispy and the cheese on top is thoroughly melted and bubbling. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Notes
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- Room Temperature: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature away from sunlight and heat for up to 2 days.
- Refrigeration: Keep in an airtight container, refrigerated up to 5 days. Cover tightly to avoid drying out or absorbing odors.
- Freezing: Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil or place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Use lean ground beef (80/20) to maintain juiciness without excessive grease.
- Choose tater tots with a crisp outside and soft inside for the best texture contrast.
- Fresh green beans should snap when bent; frozen can be used for convenience but check for excess moisture.
- To prevent sogginess, ensure good layering order and quality condensed soup, preferably cream of mushroom.
- If the casserole is watery, use a higher quality condensed soup with less added liquid.
- If tater tots are not crisp enough after baking, increase oven temp to 400°F (204°C) and bake an additional 10 minutes.
- To prevent cheese from browning too fast, cover the casserole loosely with foil after 20 minutes of baking.
- Taste and adjust seasoning in the meat mixture before layering for balanced flavor.
- Ensure the ground beef is spread in a single even layer in the skillet to promote proper browning during cooking.
- Reheat refrigerated leftovers in a 350°F (177°C) oven until warmed through and the topping re-crisped, about 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, microwave in short intervals, but oven reheating preserves texture better.
- Serve this casserole with roasted Brussels sprouts or a fresh garden salad to add complementary freshness.
- Baked sweet potatoes or garlic bread make good side dishes that soak up the flavorful juices.
- Add a drizzle of ranch dressing or your favorite hot sauce to enhance each serving. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives over the top for a fresh finish.
- Substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup for a mushroom-free option.
- Use fresh green beans for added crunch or other vegetables as preferred to customize the casserole.
- For a vegetarian variation, replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles and use a vegetable cream soup alternative.
- Ground Beef: Select lean (80/20) for optimal balance of flavor and fat. Spread evenly during cooking to ensure proper browning.
- Tater Tots: Choose a brand known for crisp exterior and soft center to contrast with creamy casserole interior.
- Green Beans: Fresh beans should be firm and vibrant; frozen beans offer convenience but check for excess moisture.
- Condensed Soup: Use high-quality canned cream of mushroom soup for best flavor and to control moisture level. Consider cream of chicken as a substitute.
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharp or aged cheddar intensifies flavor. Shredded cheese melts smoothly and evenly over casserole.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approx. 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Ingredient Notes
- Tater tots: Go for a brand that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. This provides the right texture contrast in the casserole.
- Ground beef: Choose a lean ground beef, around 80/20, to keep it juicy without being overly greasy. Cook it until browned for the best flavor.
- Green beans: Fresh green beans add a nice crunch! Look for vibrant, firm beans that snap when bent. Frozen works well too if you’re short on time.
- Condensed cream of mushroom soup: Pick a good quality brand for a rich flavor and creamy texture. If you’re avoiding mushrooms, go for a cream of chicken soup instead.
- Cheddar cheese: Shredded sharp cheddar adds a tasty, melty layer. Aged cheddar will boost the flavor even more, so check the label for that extra tang!
- Tater tots: Go for a brand that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. This provides the right texture contrast in the casserole.
- Ground beef: Choose a lean ground beef, around 80/20, to keep it juicy without being overly greasy. Cook it until browned for the best flavor.
- Green beans: Fresh green beans add a nice crunch! Look for vibrant, firm beans that snap when bent. Frozen works well too if you’re short on time.
- Condensed cream of mushroom soup: Pick a good quality brand for a rich flavor and creamy texture. If you’re avoiding mushrooms, go for a cream of chicken soup instead.
- Cheddar cheese: Shredded sharp cheddar adds a tasty, melty layer. Aged cheddar will boost the flavor even more, so check the label for that extra tang!
Recipe Tips
- If the casserole appears watery after baking, check the soup’s brand; some varieties have more liquid. Consider using cream of mushroom soup to prevent excess moisture.
- When tater tots aren’t crispy enough, bake for an additional 10 minutes at 400 degrees F. This helps achieve the golden, crunchy texture desired.
- If you notice the cheese browning too quickly, cover the dish loosely with foil 20 minutes into the baking. This keeps the cheese from burning while allowing the tater tots to cook.
- For a well-seasoned casserole, taste the meat mixture before layering it. Adjust salt and pepper according to your preference for a better overall flavor.
- If the ground beef isn’t browning effectively, ensure it’s spread in an even layer in the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally for even cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a side of roasted Brussels sprouts or a fresh garden salad for a complete meal. Pair with baked sweet potatoes or garlic bread to soak up the flavors.
Use to make a brunch casserole or meal prep individual servings for weekday lunches. Add to sandwich wraps or tortilla bowls for a quick grab-and-go option.
Top with your favorite hot sauce or a drizzle of ranch dressing for added flavor. You can also sprinkle fresh parsley or chives as a finishing touch.
Recipe variations
- You can use ground beef or sub with ground turkey for this Tater Tot Casserole with Green Beans. Both provide protein and a hearty base.
- Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder and ½ teaspoon dried parsley when seasoning the meat mixture to build mild herbal and aromatic layers in the casserole.
- Either frozen or fresh green beans can be used; if fresh, blanch for 2-3 minutes first to maintain texture before layering onto the casserole.
- If serving more than six, double the ingredients and use a 5-quart baking dish; bake in the same 375°F oven but extend cooking by 10-15 minutes.
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How to Store?
To keep your tater tot casserole fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Use an airtight container; store at room temperature up to 2 days. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
Refrigeration: Place in an airtight container; refrigerate up to 5 days. Cover the casserole tightly to prevent drying out and odor absorption.
Freezing: Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil; use a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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