Game Day Tater Tot Casserole (Printable View)
Crowd-pleasing casserole with crispy tater tots, ground beef, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for game day gatherings.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meat
01 - 1 lb halal ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
→ Sauces & Dairy
05 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed mushroom soup, halal-certified
06 - 1/2 cup sour cream, halal
07 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, halal
→ Seasonings
08 - 1 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
→ Topping
11 - 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots, halal-certified
→ Garnish
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
# Cooking Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the halal ground beef until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon for about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
04 - Stir in the frozen mixed vegetables and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly.
05 - Add the condensed mushroom soup, sour cream, salt, pepper, and paprika to the skillet. Mix well and simmer for 3 minutes until fully combined.
06 - Spread the meat and vegetable mixture evenly in a greased 9x13-inch casserole dish.
07 - Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the mixture.
08 - Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer on top of the cheese.
09 - Bake uncovered for 30 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
10 - Remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the tater tots.
11 - Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is fully melted.
12 - Let cool for 5 minutes, garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The contrast between the crispy tater tot topping and the savory meat filling creates a texture experience that will have everyone asking for seconds before halftime.
- You can prepare the beef mixture ahead of time and simply assemble and bake when guests arrive, allowing you to actually enjoy the game instead of missing key moments.
02 -
- Never stir the casserole once assembled, as the beauty of this dish comes from distinct layers that should remain separated until serving.
- Letting the casserole rest for exactly 5 minutes after baking helps everything set properly, making it easier to serve clean portions while still keeping it perfectly hot for eating.
03 -
- The key to preventing a soggy bottom is allowing your meat mixture to cool slightly before layering in the casserole dish, which keeps the condensation from making the bottom layer mushy.
- Arrange your tater tots in rows rather than randomly tossing them on top, as this creates air channels that help the tots crisp evenly while allowing steam to escape from the filling below.