Q: What goes in a tater tot casserole?

A traditional tater tot casserole includes ground beef, a can of cream of mushroom (or chicken) soup, shredded cheese, and frozen tater tots layered in a baking dish. Some versions add vegetables like peas, corn, or green beans. It's a simple one-dish meal with tons of room for customization.

Q: Why is it called John Wayne casserole?

The John Wayne Casserole was named after the legendary actor, who contributed a version of the recipe to a 1979 charity cookbook. While it doesn’t include tater tots, it shares the same hearty, comfort-food roots. It features ingredients like ground beef, biscuits or crescent roll dough, tomatoes, green chiles, and a creamy sour cream-mayo mixture.

Q: What is the difference between a Tater Tot hotdish and a tater tot casserole?

Hotdish is a regional term, mainly used in the Midwest, for baked one-dish meals that include a starch, protein, and canned soup. A tater tot casserole is essentially the same dish but referred to more broadly outside the Midwest. The main difference is cultural and linguistic, not culinary.

Q: Why is my tater tot casserole soggy?

Sogginess happens when too much moisture gets trapped during cooking or storage. To avoid this, bake the casserole uncovered, cool it before storing, and always reheat in the oven or air fryer instead of the microwave. Keeping the tater tots on top instead of mixing them in also helps them stay crispy.

Tater Tot Casserole: The Best Classic Recipe You’ll Ever Try

Description

Tater Tot Casserole made easy. Discover the best recipe, variations, storage tips & more. Comfort food never tasted this good!

Ingredients

“1 lb ground beef”,

“1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup”,

“1/2 cup milk”,

“2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (optional)”,

“1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese”,

“1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots”,

“Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste”,

“1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)”

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

In a skillet, cook 1 lb of ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain the grease and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

In a large bowl, mix 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 cup of milk, optional Worcestershire sauce, and frozen vegetables if using.

Add the cooked beef to the mixture and combine well. Spread the beef mixture evenly into a 9×13 inch baking dish.

Top with 1.5 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, then arrange frozen tater tots evenly on top.

Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes or until the tater tots are crispy and golden.

Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.

Notes

You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter or vegetarian version.
For extra crispiness, bake the tater tots for 10 minutes on a sheet tray before adding them to the casserole.
Add a pinch of smoked paprika or chili flakes to the beef mixture for a subtle kick.
This dish can be made ahead, covered tightly, and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT40M
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 480
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 940mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 33g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 21g
Cholesterol: 75mg