Print

Easy Lighter Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef

lighter tater tot casserole - featured image
Print Recipe

A lighter version of the classic tater tot casserole, using lean ground beef and Greek yogurt for a creamy, cheesy, and crispy comfort food that’s ready in about 45 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup (low-sodium recommended)
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2%)
  • 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or oil.
  2. Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, until browned and no longer pink. Do not drain the fat.
  3. Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Season the beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and cook for 1 minute.
  5. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup and Greek yogurt until smooth. Stir in the frozen mixed vegetables and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Add the cooked beef mixture and stir until evenly combined.
  6. Pour the beef and vegetable mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. Arrange the frozen tater tots on top in a single layer.
  7. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  8. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the top, and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes, until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra crispy tater tots, bake them on a sheet pan for 10 minutes at 400°F before adding to the casserole. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow the filling to set. Use full-fat or 2% Greek yogurt to prevent a watery texture. Shred your own cheddar cheese for better melting.

Nutrition

Keywords: tater tot casserole, ground beef casserole, easy casserole, weeknight dinner, comfort food, lighter casserole, cheesy casserole

Find it online: https://zestynora.com/easy-lighter-cheesy-tater-tot-casserole-with-ground-beef/