Tater Tot Casserole for a Crowd | A Quick & Easy Dinner Delight
This Tater Tot Casserole for a Crowd is the ultimate comfort food savior for busy weeknights or entertaining large groups with minimal fuss. It’s a hearty, flavorful, and incredibly simple dish that’s guaranteed to satisfy everyone at the table.
Key Ingredients for Tater Tot Casserole for a Crowd :
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 (32 ounce) bags frozen tater tots
How to Make Tater Tot Casserole for a Crowd :
Whipping up this Tater Tot Casserole for a Crowd is astonishingly easy and incredibly rewarding, making it a go-to recipe for any busy cook. In about 60 minutes, including prep and bake time, you’ll have a bubbling, golden-brown masterpiece that’s packed with savory, creamy goodness and topped with those perfectly crispy tater tots. Its rich texture and comforting aroma will have everyone asking for seconds.
Step-by-Step Instructions :
- Preheat your oven and brown the beef: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté the onion: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Create the creamy base: In a large bowl, combine the condensed cream of chicken soup, condensed cream of mushroom soup, and milk. Stir them together until well blended.
- Season the mixture: Add the salt and black pepper to the soup mixture and stir to combine.
- Combine beef mixture with sauce: Add the beef and onion mixture to the creamy soup mixture. Stir everything together until the meat and onions are evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
- Add the cheese: Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese into the beef and soup mixture. Reserve the remaining cheese for topping.
- Assemble the casserole: Pour the beef and sauce mixture evenly into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Top with tater tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top of the beef mixture. Try to cover as much of the surface as possible for a consistent crispy topping.
- Add remaining cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the tater tots.
- Bake until golden and bubbly: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is hot and bubbly around the edges.
- Rest before serving: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and makes it easier to serve.
Why You’ll Love This Tater Tot Casserole for a Crowd :
You’ll adore this Tater Tot Casserole for a Crowd for its incredibly satisfying, savory flavor profile, where tender ground beef and a rich, creamy sauce mingle beneath a blanket of perfectly crispy tater tots. Unlike the often bland and mushy versions of similar baked dishes, this casserole boasts a delightful textural contrast that elevates every bite. Making this at home offers significant cost savings compared to ordering takeout or eating at a restaurant, proving that delicious, crowd-pleasing meals don’t need to break the bank. The melty cheddar cheese adds a delightful tang, while the beef and mixed cream soups create a comforting depth that’s truly irresistible.
This dish is more than just a meal; it’s a warm hug on a plate, perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or simply when you need a comforting and easy dinner solution. Give this Tater Tot Casserole for a Crowd a try – you might just find it becomes your new favorite weeknight wonder, a true testament to simple ingredients creating extraordinary flavor.
Storing and Reheating Tips :
To store any leftover Tater Tot Casserole for a Crowd, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigeration is best, and your delicious casserole will remain fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
For reheating, the oven is your best friend for maintaining that wonderful crispiness of the tater tots. Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. If you prefer a crispier topping, remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of reheating. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, though the tater tots may become soft.
If you find yourself with an abundance of leftovers and want to save them for a later date, freezing is an excellent option. Once completely cooled, portion the casserole into freezer-safe containers or wrap it well in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Frozen casserole will keep its quality for up to 2-3 months. To reheat from frozen, it’s best to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight first, then follow the oven reheating instructions. Alternatively, you can reheat directly from frozen, but this will take considerably longer, likely 45-60 minutes, covered with foil.
Final Thoughts :
This Tater Tot Casserole for a Crowd is the ultimate answer to delicious, stress-free feeding. It’s a recipe that proves simple ingredients can create something truly magical, so gather your loved ones and enjoy this comforting, crowd-pleasing dish.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Tater Tot Casserole for a Crowd
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.2 pounds lean ground beef
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.1 large onion, 2 pounds lean ground beef
- In a large bowl, combine the condensed cream of chicken soup, condensed cream of mushroom soup, and milk. Stir them together until well blended.2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup, 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup milk
- Add the salt and black pepper to the soup mixture and stir to combine.1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup, 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup milk
- Add the beef and onion mixture to the creamy soup mixture. Stir everything together until the meat and onions are evenly distributed throughout the sauce.2 pounds lean ground beef, 1 large onion, 2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup, 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup milk, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese into the beef and soup mixture. Reserve the remaining cheese for topping.2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 2 pounds lean ground beef, 1 large onion, 2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup, 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup milk, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Pour the beef and sauce mixture evenly into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.2 pounds lean ground beef, 1 large onion, 2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup, 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup milk, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top of the beef mixture. Try to cover as much of the surface as possible for a consistent crispy topping.2 (32 ounce) bags frozen tater tots, 2 pounds lean ground beef, 1 large onion, 2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup, 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup milk, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the tater tots.2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 2 (32 ounce) bags frozen tater tots, 2 pounds lean ground beef, 1 large onion, 2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup, 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup milk, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is hot and bubbly around the edges.2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 2 (32 ounce) bags frozen tater tots, 2 pounds lean ground beef, 1 large onion, 2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup, 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup milk, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and makes it easier to serve.