Easy Tater Tot® Casserole
With the simplicity of the recipe and the readily available ingredients from my freezer and pantry, I quickly assembled the casserole. The familiar aroma of ground beef cooking mingled with the creamy mushroom soup, creating a tantalizing scent that filled my kitchen.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 cup diced onion
1 pinch garlic powder, or to taste
1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
(26.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
(16 ounce) package frozen bite-size potato nuggets (such as Tater Tots®)
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 pinch paprika, or to taste
1 pinch dried parsley flakes, or to taste
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook and stir ground beef, onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a skillet over medium heat until beef is browned and crumbly, 7 to 10 minutes. Spread beef into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Stir cream of mushroom soup, potato nuggets, and Cheddar cheese together in a large bowl until potato nuggets are evenly coated in soup and cheese. Spread potato nugget mixture over beef mixture.
- Bake in the preheated oven until browned, about 45 minutes. Sprinkle paprika and parsley flakes over the top.
I couldn’t help but feel a surge of nostalgia as I embarked on preparing this Easy Tater Tot® Casserole. The mere mention of casseroles instantly transported me back to my childhood, where cozy family dinners were accompanied by comforting and delicious dishes like this one.
As I layered the tots on top and sprinkled them with cheese, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. Memories of sitting around the dinner table with loved ones, eagerly awaiting the first bite of a comforting casserole, flooded my mind.
Finally, the casserole emerged from the oven, golden and bubbling. The sight alone was enough to make my mouth water. I served generous portions to my family, and we gathered around the table, ready to savor the taste of home.
With each forkful, I was transported back to those cherished moments, surrounded by warmth, laughter, and the unmistakable flavors of childhood. The combination of the crispy tots, savory beef, and creamy sauce created a harmony of textures and tastes that brought a smile to everyone’s faces.