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Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole

Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole
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This Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole is a simple, heartwarming, and convenient meal perfect for busy families. It features a creamy, savory filling of ground beef, onions, condensed soups, milk, and mixed vegetables, layered with crispy golden tater tots and cheddar cheese. A true comfort food, it's easy to prepare with minimal cleanup and is highly adaptable to various dietary preferences and ingredients on hand, ensuring full bellies and happy smiles.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs Ground Beef
1 large Yellow Onio
1 (10.5 oz) can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 (10.5 oz) can Cheddar Cheese Soup
1/2 cup Milk
1 (12 oz) bag Frozen Mixed Vegetables
2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp Onion Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Black Pepper
1 (32 oz) bag Frozen Tater Tots

Instructions

  1. Brown the Ground Beef: First, brown your ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain any excess grease thoroughly. Next, add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the beef. Sauté the onion with the beef for about 5-7 minutes, until the onion softens and becomes translucent
  2. Prepare the Creamy Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the browned beef and onions. Add both cans of cream of mushroom soup and cheddar cheese soup. Pour in the milk. Now, stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything until it is well combined and smooth
  3. Add Vegetables and Cheese: Next, gently fold the bag of frozen mixed vegetables into the beef mixture. Then, add 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese to the mixture. Stir again until all ingredients are evenly distributed
  4. Assemble in the Crockpot: Lightly grease the inside of your 6-quart or larger slow cooker with cooking spray. Pour the entire beef and vegetable mixture into the slow cooker, spreading it evenly across the bottom
  5. Layer with Tater Tots: Now, arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the top of the beef mixture, covering the entire surface as much as possible. Finally, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots
  6. Cook to Perfection: Secure the lid on your slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. The casserole is ready when the beef mixture is bubbly and heated through, the cheese is melted and gooey, and the tater tots are golden brown and tender. For extra crispy tots, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking or transfer the slow cooker insert to a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes
  7. Rest and Serve: Once cooked, turn off the slow cooker and let the casserole rest for about 10-15 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives, if desired, then enjoy this comforting meal!

Notes

Don't Skip Browning the Meat: Browning the ground beef and sautéing the onion before adding them to the slow cooker is crucial for deep, rich flavors and to drain excess fat.

Thoroughly Drain Grease: After browning your ground beef, ensure you drain all the excess grease to prevent an oily casserole.

Layering Matters: Place the tater tots on top in a single, even layer; do not mix them into the creamy base. This allows them to cook without becoming overly soggy.

Avoid Overcrowding: Use a 6-quart or larger slow cooker for this recipe to ensure even cooking and prevent a messy cleanup.

Resist Lifting the Lid: Every time you lift the slow cooker lid, you release accumulated heat, which significantly extends the cooking time.

Achieve Crispy Tater Tots: For extra crispness, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking, or transfer the slow cooker insert (if oven-safe) to a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes after crockpot cooking.

Adjust Seasoning: Taste the beef and soup mixture before adding it to the slow cooker to adjust salt, pepper, or other seasonings to your preference.

Don't Overcook: While slow cooking is forgiving, overcooking can make the bottom layer mushy. The casserole is done when the internal temperature reaches a safe level (160°F for ground beef) and the mixture is bubbly.

Freshly Shredded Cheese: Shredding your own cheese results in a creamier, more luxurious melt compared to pre-shredded cheese with anti-caking agents.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://fabiloustaste.com/crockpot-tater-tot-casserole/