Tater Tot Casserole is similar to Shepherd’s Pie, but with tater tots instead of mashed potatoes. The sauce also has a cream base instead of a tomato base. I like this version because it does not call for a can of “cream of” soup (which I rarely buy or have on hand).
Start by cooking the ground beef with the onions. After draining, add it to the bottom of a baking dish. I use a 9″x9″, but you could use whatever 2.5 qt dish you have.
Next you will make the sauce. Melt the butter in the same skillet that you used to cook the ground beef. Add the flour and mix. Stir while it bubbles, and the flour cooks.
Add the broth a little bit at a time. Whisking it well between each addition will keep it smooth. If you like the sauce a little more creamy, you can add up to a 1/4 cup of milk (I suggest whole).
After it cooks for a couple of minutes, stir in the mixed vegetables. Layer this sauce on top of the ground beef in the baking dish.
Sprinkle with cheese. Then layer on top the tater tots and bake.
After baking for 45 minutes, remove it from the oven and top with more cheese. Bake it for about 5 more minutes to melt the cheese. Serve it up, and make sure you get some before it disappears!
Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion diced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 to 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed or vegetable of choice, such as peas, corn, or green beans
- 1 to 2 cups shredded cheese (optional) Cheddar, Colby Jack, etc.
- 1.5 to 2 pounds frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Brown ground beef in a skillet with onion until beef is cooked through. Drain. Layer beef in the bottom of a 9"x9" baking dish.
- In the same skillet, melt butter. Add flour. Cook and stir for 3 minutes; mixture will bubble as it cooks. Add broth a small amount at a time, stirring well after each addition to avoid lumps. After all broth is incorporated, cook and stir for about 2-3 minutes. Stir in vegetables. Layer on top of beef in dish.
- Sprinkle vegetables with about 1 cup of shredded cheese. Place tater tots on top of cheese.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining cheese (if desired). Bake another 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Serve warm and refrigerate any leftovers.
