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Crispy Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef

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A quick and easy comfort food casserole featuring a crispy tater tot topping over a creamy cheese sauce and seasoned ground beef mixture. Perfect for busy weeknights and loved by all ages.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15 lean)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook ground beef, breaking it apart until browned, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef; cook until onions are translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Stir in smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper; cook for another 1-2 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
  6. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden and nutty smelling.
  7. Slowly whisk in milk, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
  8. Lower heat and stir in shredded cheddar, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper until smooth and creamy.
  9. Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
  10. Pour cheese sauce over the beef and spread gently to cover.
  11. Arrange frozen tater tots evenly on top of the cheese sauce.
  12. Sprinkle additional shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots.
  13. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until tater tots are golden and crispy and cheese sauce is bubbly.
  14. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For crispier tater tots, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes at the end. You can prepare the beef mixture and cheese sauce a day ahead to save time. Use quality sharp cheddar cheese for best flavor and melt. To make gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour or cornstarch. Leftovers reheat best in the oven to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: tater tot casserole, ground beef casserole, comfort food, cheesy casserole, easy dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/crispy-tater-tot-casserole-with-ground-beef-easy-recipe-for-comfort-food-fans/