Tater Tot Delight

6 servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 45 m Total: 1 h Beginner
5.0/5 (1)
Tater Tot Delight
A quick, easy and satisfying dish sure to satisfy even the most hungry of children. This comforting casserole layers crispy tater tots with seasoned ground beef, onions, corn, golden mushroom soup, and melted cheese. The tater tots can be placed and baked on top of the casserole or directly in the casserole. For variety, crawfish or shrimp could be added to the dish for a Louisiana twist.

Ingredients

6 servings
  • 1 package frozen tater tots / frozen nuggets
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 can whole kernel corn or Mexi-corn
  • 1 can golden mushroom soup
  • 1 package sliced or shredded cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onions, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook until beef is browned and onions are tender, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  2. Cook style 1: In a medium casserole dish, spread the frozen tater tots evenly in the bottom. Spread the browned ground meat mixture over the tater tots. Layer the drained can of corn evenly over the mixture. Spread the can of mushroom soup over the corn and top with sliced or shredded cheese.
  3. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. No need to stir.
  4. Cook style 2: Layer the ground beef, corn, and soup in the casserole dish, then place the tater tots on top of the casserole and bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes until tots are golden and crispy.
  5. Optional variation: Add 1 pound cooked shrimp or crawfish for a Louisiana flavor twist - stir into the browned ground beef before assembling the casserole.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Can I prep this ahead of time?

A: Yes! Assemble the casserole (without baking), cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the refrigerator.

Q: Why is my casserole watery?

A: Make sure to drain the ground beef well after browning, and drain the corn before layering. If using frozen corn instead of canned, thaw and drain it thoroughly first.

Q: Can I use fresh potatoes instead of tater tots?

A: While fresh potatoes won't give you the same crispy texture as tater tots, you can use diced or sliced potatoes. Par-cook them first by boiling for 5-7 minutes before layering in the casserole.

Tips and Techniques

If using Cook Style 2 with tots on top, spray them lightly with cooking spray for extra crispiness. For the Louisiana variation with crawfish or shrimp, make sure the seafood is already cooked before adding to the beef mixture - frozen cooked crawfish tails work perfectly.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • golden mushroom soup: cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
  • ground beef: ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork
  • tater tots: frozen hash browns or diced frozen potatoes
  • whole kernel corn: frozen corn (thawed and drained) or Ro-Tel tomatoes with green chilies

Equipment Needed

  • Medium skillet for browning beef
  • 9x13 inch casserole dish or similar baking dish
  • Colander for draining beef and corn

Historical Context

Tater tot casseroles became popular across the South in the 1960s and 70s as an economical way to feed large families. In Louisiana, creative cooks started adding local touches like crawfish and shrimp, turning this Midwestern classic into something with Cajun flair.