Description
Green Bean Tater Tot Casserole , a family-friendly baked dinner with ground beef, green beans and melty cheddar.
Ingredients
Scale
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- 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