How to Make Tater Tot Casserole and Freeze Leftovers

Tater Tot Casserole is a super-easy, crowd-pleasing weeknight casserole, and one of our favourite family dinners on busy weeknights. For a big family event, it could make a great Sunday dinner as the main dish, or any other day. It’s an easy casserole and a real time-saver, and a ideal to add to your list of freezer meals to serve up to the whole family! Frozen tater tot casserole is quick and easy to reheat. Cream of mushroom soup completes the casserole and gives it creaminess and depth of flavour that makes it a delicious meal and a hearty one at that.

Below, I’m going to take you through the step by step method for this easy tater tot casserole. I’ll also answer some common questions that you might have such as: ‘Can I freeze leftover tater tot casserole?’ (If you’re looking for more info on freezing other food, I have further posts, including this ‘can you freeze pork pies?’ post here!)

Ingredients You’ll Need for Tater Tot Casserole:

1 lb ground beef (or substitute with ground turkey or plant-based ground meat)

1 small onion, diced

1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your preferred cheese)

1 package (about 32 oz) frozen tater tots

1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (optional: peas, carrots, corn)

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 tsp garlic powder (optional)

1 tsp onion powder (optional)

1/4 cup milk (optional, for a creamier texture) 

Cooking spray or butter (for greasing the pan)

Equipment:

9×13 baking dish

Large skillet

Wooden spoon or spatula

Step-by-Step Instructions for Tate Tot Casserole:

1. Preheat Your Oven:

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease your 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

2. Cook the Ground Beef and Onions:

Cook the ground beef and chopped onion in a large skillet on medium heat. Use a little olive oil if your beef is not very lean, such as with ground turkey or plant-based beef substitutes. Sprinkle some salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder on the meat, and cook until the ground beef is brown and the onions are soft, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Note: For best results, if you have any fat left in the skillet after browning the meat, pour it off to prevent the casserole from becoming greasy.

3. Add the Cream of Mushroom Soup:

When the meat is thoroughly cooked, stir in 1 can of cream of mushroom soup. (For a creamier casserole, stir in 1/4 cup of milk also.) Stir to combine the meat with the soup.

4. Incorporate Frozen Vegetables (Optional):

If using frozen vegetables, stir them into the meat and broth mixture now. Add peas, carrots, green beans or corn, which are a great way to pack in colour and nutrients. There is no need to thaw frozen veggies beforehand; they will cook during baking.

5. Assemble the Casserole:

Spread the beef and soup meat mixture in an even layer across the bottom of your prepared casserole dish. Then sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese on top of the mixture. Place the tater tots in a single layer over the cheese and beef. If they are frozen well, you should be able to lay them side by side so that every bite of this cheesy beef casserole will have a tater tot on top!

6. Bake the Casserole:

Place the assembled casserole in your preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy. You want the casserole to be warmed through and the cheese melted and bubbly.

7. Add More Cheese (Optional):

You can also sprinkle the remaining cheddar into the dish after the 30 minutes of baking, in the last 5-10 minutes, to create a decadent gooey cheesy top, and also a dash of Worcestershire sauce. This really is my favourite thing about the casserole!

8. Serve and Enjoy:

When the crispy tater tots are sizzled and golden brown, remove the casserole from the oven. Let it cool for about five minutes covered with aluminium foil, then scoop out generous portions and serve with a little sour cream on the side and some salad or veg. Enjoy! 

Customizations and Variations of Tater Tot Casserole for easy dinners:

This classic recipe is fantastic as-is for busy nights, but there are plenty of ways to shake it up depending on what sounds good to you:

Meat Subs: Replace one pound with ground chicken, turkey, or a plant-based meat replacement to lighten the casserole or make it vegetarian. 

Soup Variations: Not a fan of mushrooms? Substitute your favourite soup – cream of chicken or cream of celery can work well here.

Make it Spicy: If you like a little heat, add ¼-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or 1 large jalapeño (seeds & membranes removed, chopped).

Vegetarian Variation: Use all plant-based ground meat and vegetarian cream of mushroom soup for a dairy-free variation. Add lots of veggies from the grocery store, such as bell peppers, zucchini or spinach for a nutritional boost. 

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole: You can make a morning version of this recipe, but switching out the ground beef for simple ingredients such as breakfast sausage or ham, and with creamy eggs! This is still a complete meal in itself!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you freeze leftover tater tot casserole?

Yep, you can freeze tater tot casserole! Here’s how to keep that leftover or make ahead casserole fresh:

Before freezing: Let the casserole cool completely to room temperature.

If you prefer to freeze ahead, all the dishes can be covered in cling film or aluminium foil, and individual portions can be stowed in airtight containers, marked with the date so you know when it’s been there. Frozen casserole is good for up to two months. 

Storage time: Frozen tater tot casserole will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheating instructions: Once the casserole is cooked, let it cool to room temperature. Store it in the fridge overnight to thaw. To serve, reheat the casserole in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 20-30 minutes, until warmed through. You can also reheat individual portions of frozen tater tot casserole in the microwave but the tater tots may get a little soggy.

2. How long to cook frozen tater tot casserole?
A: If you’re cooking a frozen tater tot casserole, bake it at 375°F (190°C) for 60 to 75 minutes. Cover with foil for the first 40–50 minutes to ensure even heating, then uncover for the remaining time to let the tater tots crisp up. Always check that the center is hot and bubbly before serving.

3. Can I make tater tot casserole ahead of time?

Yes, definitely! It’s a great make-ahead dish and an easy recipe. You can mix it up the night before or earlier in the day, refrigerate it (covered with plastic wrap or foil), and bake it right before dinner. Add 10 minutes to the baking time if the dish has been chilled. 

4. How do I store leftover tater tot casserole?

Transfer any leftovers immediately to an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they’ll keep for up to 3 days. Reheat frozen tater tot casserole leftovers for a quick and easy meal by popping a portion in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or, to retain the crispiness of the tater tots, by heating the entire portion of pizza in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.

5. How long is tater tot casserole good for in the fridge?
A: Tater tot casserole will stay fresh in the fridge for 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. Make sure to let it cool completely before refrigerating, and reheat thoroughly before serving. If you’re not planning to eat it within that time, it’s best to freeze it for longer storage.

6. What can I serve with tater tot casserole?

Tater tot casserole is fairly rich on its own, but a green salad, steamed broccoli or roasted vegetables make nice, lighter sides. Crusty bread or rolls work well for soaking up any of the cheesy, creamy goodness that doesn’t make it into your pie hole.

7. Can I make a gluten-free version of tater tot casserole?

Yes, most tater tot casseroles can be made gluten-free. Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and gluten-free tater tots (check the packaging; some brands contain gluten). Be sure your shredded cheese and any seasonings you use are gluten-free. 

8. What can I do with leftover tater tots?
A: Leftover tater tots are surprisingly versatile! You can reheat them in the oven or air fryer for a crispy snack, or use them in breakfast burritos, hash-style skillets, or even as a crunchy topping for casseroles and soups. They also make a fun base for “totchos” – tater tot nachos with your favorite toppings.

This easy tater tot casserole recipe with cream of mushroom soup is comfort food at its finest: crispy, golden tots encased in a creamy, savoury filling. Flexible, easy, and family-friendly, with the option of freezing leftovers, it’s a great recipe to keep in your back pocket for busy evenings. 

 Happy cooking!

 

Get some more great Tater Tot ideas here in this recipe book, and See more of my recipes here