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Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole - featured image

Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole with Crispy Tater Tot Topping

  • Author: SALY
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

A comforting and reliable casserole featuring a savory ground beef layer topped with melted sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, finished with a crispy layer of golden tater tots. Perfect for dinner parties or quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup beef broth (low-sodium)
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and shred the cheeses. Have tater tots ready.
  3. Heat a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until no pink remains.
  4. Drain excess fat from the beef.
  5. Add diced onion to the beef and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
  6. Add minced garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  7. Pour in beef broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
  8. Spread the beef mixture evenly into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  9. Sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the beef layer.
  10. Arrange tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
  11. Brush tater tots with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder.
  12. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
  13. Optional: Broil for the last 2 minutes for extra crispiness, watching closely.
  14. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow cheese to set.

Notes

For best results, shred cheese yourself to avoid anti-caking agents. Do not overcrowd tater tots to ensure they crisp up. Can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated; add 5-10 minutes to baking time if starting cold. Leftovers freeze well for up to 3 months.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 2
  • Sodium: 650
  • Fat: 24
  • Saturated Fat: 10
  • Carbohydrates: 35
  • Fiber: 3
  • Protein: 22

Keywords: cheesy ground beef casserole, tater tot casserole, dinner party recipe, comfort food, easy casserole, ground beef dinner, crispy tater tots

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Find it online: https://cookiqa.com/cheesy-ground-beef-casserole-easy-tater-tot-dinner-party-recipe/