Nothing says comfort quite like a warm, cheesy casserole. When it’s combined with crispy tater tots, seasoned beef, and gooey melted cheese, the result is a dish that both kids and adults will love. This Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole has quickly become a favorite for busy weeknights, family gatherings, and even potluck events. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make, thanks to the trusty crockpot. With minimal prep, you can set it and forget it, and in just a few hours, you’ll have a delicious, hearty meal ready to serve.
PrintCrockpot Tater Tot Casserole: A Comforting, Easy Family Favorite
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Ingredients
- Ground Beef (1 lb): The star of this casserole, ground beef provides a savory, hearty base. It cooks up quickly and absorbs all the flavors from the seasonings and soup, making it the perfect filling for this dish. You can use lean ground beef to reduce fat, or go for a fattier blend for a richer flavor.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup (1 can, 10.5 oz): This is the creamy component of the casserole, adding smoothness and richness. The soup also acts as a binder for all the ingredients, ensuring that each bite is perfectly balanced. If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, you can substitute the cream of mushroom soup with a different cream-based soup, such as cream of chicken or cream of celery.
- Frozen Tater Tots (2 cups): These are the golden, crispy topping of your casserole. When baked in the slow cooker, they become crisp on the outside while remaining soft on the inside, creating a perfect contrast to the creamy filling beneath. Be sure to use frozen tater tots, as fresh or homemade tots may not hold up the same way in the crockpot.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese (1 cup): No casserole is complete without cheese, and cheddar is the perfect choice for this dish. It’s sharp, creamy, and melts beautifully. You can use mild or sharp cheddar, depending on your preference, or experiment with other cheese varieties like mozzarella or a Mexican blend.
- Onion (1, chopped): The onion adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the casserole. As it cooks, it softens and releases its natural sweetness, complementing the savory ground beef and creamy sauce. You can use yellow onions for a milder flavor, or red onions for a slight bite.
- Salt and Pepper (to taste): Simple, but essential. These seasonings enhance the flavors of the beef, cheese, and onion, ensuring that the dish is well-seasoned without being overpowering. Be sure to taste the mixture before adding more salt, as some ingredients, like the soup and cheese, are already salty.
Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef and Onion
Start by heating a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. This step is important as it ensures that the beef is fully cooked and ready to add to the crockpot.
Once the beef is browned, add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the onion becomes soft and translucent. The onions should release their natural sweetness and begin to caramelize, adding flavor to the dish.
After cooking, drain any excess fat from the beef mixture and set it aside. This helps prevent the casserole from becoming too greasy.
Step 2: Layer the Tater Tots in the Crockpot
Next, layer half of the frozen tater tots in the bottom of your crockpot. You don’t need to arrange them in a particular pattern—just scatter them evenly. These tots will become the base of your casserole, and their crispy edges will provide a satisfying texture once cooked.
Step 3: Add the Ground Beef Mixture
Spread the browned ground beef and onion mixture over the layer of tater tots. The beef mixture adds savory flavor and creates a hearty filling that complements the crispy tots perfectly. Make sure the beef is spread out evenly so that every bite has a good balance of meat and potatoes.
Step 4: Add the Cream of Mushroom Soup and Cheese
Pour the cream of mushroom soup evenly over the beef mixture. You don’t need to stir it in—just spread it out to cover the top. The soup will melt and create a smooth, creamy sauce that binds everything together.
After the soup, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top. The cheese will melt and become gooey and delicious, providing the perfect finishing touch to the casserole. You can use more or less cheese, depending on how cheesy you like your casseroles.
Step 5: Layer the Remaining Tater Tots
Top the casserole with the remaining tater tots. These will form the crispy, golden crust that everyone loves. Be sure to cover the casserole completely with tots to ensure an even, crispy topping.
Step 6: Cook on Low for 4 Hours
Cover the crockpot and set it to cook on low for 4 hours. During this time, the tater tots will cook through, becoming crispy on the outside while the cheese and cream of mushroom soup will melt into a smooth, creamy filling. The ground beef will stay tender and flavorful, and the onions will continue to soften.
You don’t need to stir the casserole during the cooking time, but feel free to check on it occasionally to make sure everything is cooking as it should.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Once the casserole has finished cooking, it’s time to serve! Use a large spoon or spatula to scoop out portions of the casserole, making sure to get some of the crispy tater tots and creamy filling in each serving. This dish is perfect as a main course, but you can also serve it with a side salad or steamed vegetables to round out the meal.
Notes
- Choose Quality Ingredients: Opt for good-quality ground beef, cheddar cheese, and tater tots. Fresh, flavorful ingredients make a significant difference in the taste of the dish.
- Add Vegetables: To make the casserole more nutritious, consider adding vegetables like peas, carrots, corn, or green beans. Mix them in with the ground beef layer for a boost of flavor and color.
- Experiment with Cheese: While cheddar is classic, you can try other cheeses like mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even a smoky Gouda. For a spicy kick, use pepper jack cheese.
- Use a Liner: Crockpot liners make cleanup a breeze and prevent sticking. They’re especially handy for dishes like this, where melted cheese can cling to the sides.
- Season to Taste: While the cream of mushroom soup and cheese add saltiness, don’t forget to taste the beef mixture before layering it in the crockpot. Adjust the salt, pepper, or even add garlic powder, paprika, or a dash of Worcestershire sauce for extra depth.
- Make It Spicy: Add diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes to the ground beef for a spicier version of this comfort food classic.
- Crisp the Tater Tots: For extra crispy tater tots, you can pre-cook them in the oven before layering them in the crockpot. Alternatively, broil the casserole for a few minutes at the end of the cooking time to achieve a golden, crispy topping.
- Double the Recipe: Feeding a crowd? Double the ingredients and use a larger crockpot. This casserole is a hit at potlucks, and you’ll be glad you made extra.
- Leftover Love: This casserole reheats beautifully. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, or freeze individual portions for quick, satisfying meals later.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s something irresistibly satisfying about tater tots—they’re crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and perfectly seasoned. In this casserole, the tater tots create a golden, crispy topping that contrasts beautifully with the creamy, cheesy filling beneath. The ground beef adds a savory, flavorful base, while the cream of mushroom soup adds a richness that ties everything together.
This recipe is also incredibly versatile. You can adjust the ingredients based on what you have on hand or your family’s preferences. Don’t like ground beef? Try ground turkey or chicken instead. Looking to add some vegetables? Throw in some peas or corn. The possibilities are endless, making it easy to tailor this dish to suit your tastes.
But beyond its delicious flavor, this casserole is perfect for those busy evenings when you don’t have much time to cook. By using a crockpot, you save time on cooking and clean-up, while still enjoying a homemade meal. It’s a great way to feed a crowd without the stress of spending hours in the kitchen.
In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know to make this delightful Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole—from the ingredients, preparation, and tips for making it your own to how to serve it for maximum enjoyment. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or someone who’s just beginning their culinary journey, you’ll find this recipe easy to follow and fun to prepare.
A Breakdown of the Ingredients
This Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole is made with just a few simple ingredients, but each one plays a crucial role in creating that comforting, flavorful dish everyone will rave about.
- Ground Beef (1 lb): The star of this casserole, ground beef provides a savory, hearty base. It cooks up quickly and absorbs all the flavors from the seasonings and soup, making it the perfect filling for this dish. You can use lean ground beef to reduce fat, or go for a fattier blend for a richer flavor.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup (1 can, 10.5 oz): This is the creamy component of the casserole, adding smoothness and richness. The soup also acts as a binder for all the ingredients, ensuring that each bite is perfectly balanced. If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, you can substitute the cream of mushroom soup with a different cream-based soup, such as cream of chicken or cream of celery.
- Frozen Tater Tots (2 cups): These are the golden, crispy topping of your casserole. When baked in the slow cooker, they become crisp on the outside while remaining soft on the inside, creating a perfect contrast to the creamy filling beneath. Be sure to use frozen tater tots, as fresh or homemade tots may not hold up the same way in the crockpot.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese (1 cup): No casserole is complete without cheese, and cheddar is the perfect choice for this dish. It’s sharp, creamy, and melts beautifully. You can use mild or sharp cheddar, depending on your preference, or experiment with other cheese varieties like mozzarella or a Mexican blend.
- Onion (1, chopped): The onion adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the casserole. As it cooks, it softens and releases its natural sweetness, complementing the savory ground beef and creamy sauce. You can use yellow onions for a milder flavor, or red onions for a slight bite.
- Salt and Pepper (to taste): Simple, but essential. These seasonings enhance the flavors of the beef, cheese, and onion, ensuring that the dish is well-seasoned without being overpowering. Be sure to taste the mixture before adding more salt, as some ingredients, like the soup and cheese, are already salty.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole couldn’t be easier! The crockpot does most of the work for you, allowing you to prepare a comforting meal with minimal hands-on time.
Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef and Onion
Start by heating a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. This step is important as it ensures that the beef is fully cooked and ready to add to the crockpot.
Once the beef is browned, add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the onion becomes soft and translucent. The onions should release their natural sweetness and begin to caramelize, adding flavor to the dish.
After cooking, drain any excess fat from the beef mixture and set it aside. This helps prevent the casserole from becoming too greasy.
Step 2: Layer the Tater Tots in the Crockpot
Next, layer half of the frozen tater tots in the bottom of your crockpot. You don’t need to arrange them in a particular pattern—just scatter them evenly. These tots will become the base of your casserole, and their crispy edges will provide a satisfying texture once cooked.
Step 3: Add the Ground Beef Mixture
Spread the browned ground beef and onion mixture over the layer of tater tots. The beef mixture adds savory flavor and creates a hearty filling that complements the crispy tots perfectly. Make sure the beef is spread out evenly so that every bite has a good balance of meat and potatoes.
Step 4: Add the Cream of Mushroom Soup and Cheese
Pour the cream of mushroom soup evenly over the beef mixture. You don’t need to stir it in—just spread it out to cover the top. The soup will melt and create a smooth, creamy sauce that binds everything together.
After the soup, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top. The cheese will melt and become gooey and delicious, providing the perfect finishing touch to the casserole. You can use more or less cheese, depending on how cheesy you like your casseroles.
Step 5: Layer the Remaining Tater Tots
Top the casserole with the remaining tater tots. These will form the crispy, golden crust that everyone loves. Be sure to cover the casserole completely with tots to ensure an even, crispy topping.
Step 6: Cook on Low for 4 Hours
Cover the crockpot and set it to cook on low for 4 hours. During this time, the tater tots will cook through, becoming crispy on the outside while the cheese and cream of mushroom soup will melt into a smooth, creamy filling. The ground beef will stay tender and flavorful, and the onions will continue to soften.
You don’t need to stir the casserole during the cooking time, but feel free to check on it occasionally to make sure everything is cooking as it should.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Once the casserole has finished cooking, it’s time to serve! Use a large spoon or spatula to scoop out portions of the casserole, making sure to get some of the crispy tater tots and creamy filling in each serving. This dish is perfect as a main course, but you can also serve it with a side salad or steamed vegetables to round out the meal.
Tips for the Perfect Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole
- Choose Quality Ingredients: Opt for good-quality ground beef, cheddar cheese, and tater tots. Fresh, flavorful ingredients make a significant difference in the taste of the dish.
- Add Vegetables: To make the casserole more nutritious, consider adding vegetables like peas, carrots, corn, or green beans. Mix them in with the ground beef layer for a boost of flavor and color.
- Experiment with Cheese: While cheddar is classic, you can try other cheeses like mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even a smoky Gouda. For a spicy kick, use pepper jack cheese.
- Use a Liner: Crockpot liners make cleanup a breeze and prevent sticking. They’re especially handy for dishes like this, where melted cheese can cling to the sides.
- Season to Taste: While the cream of mushroom soup and cheese add saltiness, don’t forget to taste the beef mixture before layering it in the crockpot. Adjust the salt, pepper, or even add garlic powder, paprika, or a dash of Worcestershire sauce for extra depth.
- Make It Spicy: Add diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes to the ground beef for a spicier version of this comfort food classic.
- Crisp the Tater Tots: For extra crispy tater tots, you can pre-cook them in the oven before layering them in the crockpot. Alternatively, broil the casserole for a few minutes at the end of the cooking time to achieve a golden, crispy topping.
- Double the Recipe: Feeding a crowd? Double the ingredients and use a larger crockpot. This casserole is a hit at potlucks, and you’ll be glad you made extra.
- Leftover Love: This casserole reheats beautifully. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, or freeze individual portions for quick, satisfying meals later.
Conclusion: A New Family Favorite
The Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole is more than just a meal—it’s a comforting, nostalgic experience that brings people together. Its simple preparation, satisfying flavors, and customizable nature make it a staple for busy families and home cooks alike. Whether you’re serving it for a casual dinner, a special gathering, or a cozy movie night, this casserole is guaranteed to please.
The combination of crispy tater tots, creamy cheese, and hearty beef creates a dish that feels like a warm hug in every bite. Plus, its adaptability means you can make it your own by adding vegetables, experimenting with spices, or swapping out ingredients to suit your tastes.
So, grab your crockpot and a bag of tater tots, and get ready to enjoy a dish that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. This recipe will quickly earn a spot on your list of go-to comfort foods, and once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s a favorite in so many households. Happy cooking! 😊