John Wayne Casserole with Beef, Cheese, and Tater Tots
A creamy, cheesy baked casserole with browned ground beef and a crispy tater tot topping, ready in about 40 minutes.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup 1 can
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 32 oz frozen tater tots 1 bag
- 1 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and diced onion for 8-10 minutes until fully cooked. Drain excess grease.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, milk, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is smooth and thick.
- Pour the beef mixture into a prepared 9x13 inch baking dish and spread evenly.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the beef mixture. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until tater tots are golden brown and cheese is bubbly.
- Optional: broil for 1-2 minutes for extra crispiness, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Drain the grease from the beef to prevent a soggy casserole. Avoid overcrowding the tater tots so they crisp properly. For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey. For a vegetarian version, swap the meat for sautéed mushrooms and bell peppers. Leftovers keep refrigerated up to 3 days, or freeze unbaked for up to 2 months.
