Classic Tater Tot Hamburger Green Bean Casserole Recipe
A family-friendly comfort food dish that's quick to prepare, featuring a hearty base of ground beef and green beans in a creamy sauce, topped with cheese and crispy Tater Tots. Perfect for busy weeknights.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- 9x13 inch baking dish
Ingredients
Hauptzutaten
- 1 pound ground beef Lean or regular, drain fat
- 1 can green beans 15 oz, drained well
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup 10.5 oz
- 0.5 cup milk Any milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Medium or sharp
- 1 package frozen Tater Tots 32 oz, do not thaw
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a 9x13 inch baking dish and set it aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown your ground beef. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once it's no longer pink, drain off any excess grease.
- Turn the heat down to low. Add the drained green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and milk to the skillet with the beef. Stir everything together until it's well combined and starts to warm through.
- Now, stir in the garlic powder and onion powder. Give it another good stir.
- Taste the mixture and add salt and pepper as needed. Remember the soup and cheese have salt, so start with just a little and add more if you think it needs it.
- Stir in about half (½ cup) of the shredded cheddar cheese into the beef and bean mixture. This makes the inside extra gooey and cheesy!
- Pour the entire mixture from the skillet into your prepared 9x13 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Arrange the frozen Tater Tots in a single layer over the top of the beef mixture. You can line them up neatly or just scatter them – whatever makes you happy! Make sure the top is mostly covered.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the Tater Tots.
- Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the Tater Tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. It will be piping hot, and this resting time helps it set slightly.
Notes
Tips for Success:
- Drain That Fat! Don't skip draining the grease from the ground beef. Too much fat can make the casserole oily.
- Don't Thaw the Tots: Place the Tater Tots on top while they are still frozen. This helps them crisp up nicely in the oven.
- Single Layer of Tots: Try to arrange the tots in a single layer on top for maximum crispiness. Piling them too high can result in soggy tots.
- Bake Until Bubbly & Golden: Make sure the casserole is heated all the way through and the sauce is bubbling before you take it out. The tops should be golden brown, too.
- Prep Ahead: You can assemble the casserole up to the point of adding the Tater Tots. Cover and refrigerate. When ready to bake, add the frozen tots and cheese, and you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it's going in cold. Assembling right before baking is preferred for the crispiest tots. How to Store It:
- Refrigerate: Cool completely, then cover tightly or transfer to airtight containers. Keeps for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in microwave or cover dish loosely and reheat in oven at 350°F (175°C).
- Freeze: Cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers or wrap dish well. Keeps for 2-3 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before reheating. Substitutions & Additions:
- Swap the Meat: Use ground turkey or cooked, chopped chicken.
- Change the Soup: Use cream of chicken or cream of celery soup.
- Different Cheese: Try Monterey Jack, a Mexican blend, or pepper jack.
- Add Some Veggies: Sauté diced onion, bell pepper, or sliced mushrooms with the ground beef. Frozen corn can also be added.
- Crunchy Topper: Add crispy fried onions over the Tater Tots before baking.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne powder to the beef mixture.
- Drain That Fat! Don't skip draining the grease from the ground beef. Too much fat can make the casserole oily.
- Don't Thaw the Tots: Place the Tater Tots on top while they are still frozen. This helps them crisp up nicely in the oven.
- Single Layer of Tots: Try to arrange the tots in a single layer on top for maximum crispiness. Piling them too high can result in soggy tots.
- Bake Until Bubbly & Golden: Make sure the casserole is heated all the way through and the sauce is bubbling before you take it out. The tops should be golden brown, too.
- Prep Ahead: You can assemble the casserole up to the point of adding the Tater Tots. Cover and refrigerate. When ready to bake, add the frozen tots and cheese, and you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it's going in cold. Assembling right before baking is preferred for the crispiest tots. How to Store It:
- Refrigerate: Cool completely, then cover tightly or transfer to airtight containers. Keeps for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in microwave or cover dish loosely and reheat in oven at 350°F (175°C).
- Freeze: Cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers or wrap dish well. Keeps for 2-3 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before reheating. Substitutions & Additions:
- Swap the Meat: Use ground turkey or cooked, chopped chicken.
- Change the Soup: Use cream of chicken or cream of celery soup.
- Different Cheese: Try Monterey Jack, a Mexican blend, or pepper jack.
- Add Some Veggies: Sauté diced onion, bell pepper, or sliced mushrooms with the ground beef. Frozen corn can also be added.
- Crunchy Topper: Add crispy fried onions over the Tater Tots before baking.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne powder to the beef mixture.