Welcome to your new go-to recipe for effortless, comforting family dinners: the Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole. This delightful dish combines seasoned ground beef, a creamy sauce, melted cheese, and a crispy layer of golden tater tots, all cooked to perfection in your Crock-Pot. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, requiring just a handful of ingredients and minimal hands-on time, making it an ideal solution for those hectic weeknights when you need a hearty meal without the fuss.
Ultimate Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole: Your New Family Favorite
Why This Tater Tot Casserole Will Become Your Go-To
This Crock-Pot Tater Tot Casserole isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary hug on a plate. It’s a dish that consistently brings smiles to the dinner table with its rich, savory flavors and incredible ease of preparation. We love how the slow cooker does most of the heavy lifting, allowing you to focus on other tasks or simply relax while dinner cooks itself. The combination of savory ground beef, vibrant Rotel tomatoes and green chilies, creamy soup, and a golden crown of tater tots makes for an unbelievably satisfying experience. It’s truly a top recipe in our slow cooker rotation, perfect for any occasion from a casual family meal to a festive potluck.
There’s an undeniable magic in the combination of these humble ingredients. Tater tots, with their crispy exteriors and soft potato interiors, are the perfect topping, while the cheesy, meaty base offers deep, comforting flavors. It’s comfort food at its finest, guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults.
Essential Ingredients for Your Delicious Casserole
Crafting this epic Crock-Pot Tater Tot Casserole requires just a few simple, accessible ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to create this family favorite. The full, detailed recipe card with exact measurements and step-by-step instructions is available at the bottom of this post.
- Ground Beef: The foundation of our hearty casserole. Opt for lean ground beef (80/20 or 90/10) to minimize excess grease.
- Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies: This secret weapon adds a fantastic zesty kick and subtle heat. We typically use the mild variety, but feel free to choose medium or hot if you prefer more spice.
- Frozen Tater Tots: The star of the show! These crispy potato bites bake up beautifully on top, providing a delightful textural contrast. No need to thaw them beforehand.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Creates a rich, creamy binder for the ground beef mixture. If you prefer, Cream of Mushroom Soup or even Cream of Celery Soup can be used as a delicious alternative.
- Small Onion: Adds aromatic depth and a touch of sweetness to the savory beef layer.
- Cheddar Cheese: Freshly shredded cheddar cheese melts into a gooey, irresistible layer. Medium or sharp cheddar works wonderfully, but feel free to experiment with other cheeses.
Optional Additions to Elevate Your Casserole:
Customize your tater tot casserole with these fantastic additions:
- Vegetables: Sautéed mushrooms, corn kernels, peas, or mixed frozen vegetables can be stirred into the beef mixture for added nutrition and flavor.
- Seasonings: Enhance the savory profile with a dash of garlic powder, onion powder, or a pinch of your favorite herbs. Always season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Spicy Boost: For those who love heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the ground beef mixture.
Recommended Equipment for Easy Preparation
Having the right tools can make preparing this slow cooker casserole even simpler. Here’s what we recommend:
- Crockpot or Slow Cooker: A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal for this recipe. We highly recommend using one with a digital timer that automatically switches to a “warm” setting after the cooking time is complete. This feature ensures your dinner is perfectly cooked and ready when you are, without the worry of overcooking.
- Mix n Chop Tool: This versatile kitchen tool is fantastic for breaking up ground beef or sausage evenly as it browns in the skillet. It makes the process quick and efficient.
- Baking Dish with Lids: Great for storing any delicious leftovers. Having a lid ensures freshness.
- Slotted Serving Spoon: Perfect for scooping out generous portions of this cheesy, hearty casserole.
- Crock-Pot Liners: For the easiest cleanup imaginable, use slow cooker liners. Alternatively, a good spray of non-stick cooking spray will also help prevent sticking.
How to Create Your Perfect Crock-Pot Tater Tot Casserole
Making this casserole is incredibly straightforward, even for beginner cooks. Here’s a simplified overview; remember, the comprehensive, printable recipe card is at the very end of this post!
- Brown the Beef & Aromatics: In a large skillet, brown your ground beef over medium heat. As it cooks, break it apart with your mix n chop tool. Once nearly cooked, add the chopped onion and continue to cook until the onion is softened and the beef is fully browned. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the can of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies.
- Layer the Base: Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker. Transfer the seasoned ground beef, onion, and Rotel mixture to the bottom of the Crock-Pot, spreading it out evenly.
- Add Creamy Goodness: Pour the can of cream of chicken soup over the beef mixture. Stir gently to combine, ensuring the beef is coated with the soup.
- Top with Tater Tots: Arrange a single, even layer of frozen tater tots across the top of the beef and soup mixture.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover your slow cooker and cook on the low setting for 2 to 3 hours. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your specific slow cooker.
- The Cheesy Finish: Approximately 30 minutes before serving, open the slow cooker and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots. Replace the lid and continue cooking until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly.
Serve hot and enjoy this comforting meal with your loved ones!
Preparation and Storage Tips
This casserole is designed for convenience, from preparation to leftovers.
- Make Ahead: This delicious casserole typically cooks in two to three hours on low, allowing you flexibility in your schedule. You can even brown the ground beef and mix the base ingredients a day ahead and store them in the refrigerator, then simply assemble and cook in the slow cooker on the day you plan to serve.
- Storage: Any leftover casserole can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to three days.
- Freezing/How to Freeze: For longer storage, freeze cooled leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to three months. This makes for a perfect grab-and-go meal later!
- How to Reheat: Reheat individual portions of Tater Tot Casserole in the microwave until warm throughout. For larger amounts or a crispier finish, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through and the cheese is bubbly. If reheating from frozen, it’s best to thaw servings overnight in the refrigerator to ensure even reheating.
Creative Recipe Variations to Try
One of the best things about this Tater Tot Casserole is its adaptability. Feel free to unleash your culinary creativity!
- Protein Substitutions: If you’re looking for an alternative to ground beef, ground chicken, ground turkey, or even ground pork sausage (breakfast or Italian) would work wonderfully. Adjust cooking time slightly if using leaner meats.
- Cheese Exploration: While shredded cheddar is a classic, don’t hesitate to use other melty cheeses. Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, a Mexican blend, or even a smoked gouda can add unique flavors.
- Vegetarian Option: Easily transform this into a vegetarian meal by swapping the ground beef for a plant-based ground meat alternative and using cream of mushroom soup or a vegetarian cream of chicken soup.
- Vegan Option: For a fully vegan version, follow the vegetarian guidance by using plant-based ground meat. Additionally, replace the cream of chicken soup with a plant-based cream soup and use your favorite dairy-free shredded cheddar cheese.
- Gluten-Free: Many tater tot brands are naturally gluten-free, but always check the label to be sure. Also, ensure your cream of chicken soup is certified gluten-free, as some varieties may contain wheat.
- Adjusting Serving Size: The recipe as written yields eight servings, perfect for a family meal. You can easily scale it up for larger gatherings (using a larger slow cooker or multiple smaller ones) or halve it for fewer servings. Remember to adjust cooking times accordingly if making larger batches.
- Make It Spicy: For those who enjoy a fiery kick, simply use a hotter variety of Rotel (medium or hot). Adding spicy cheese like pepper jack for the topping is another fantastic way to increase the heat. A few dashes of your favorite hot sauce, such as Tabasco or Cholula, stirred into the beef mixture, will also deliver a zesty punch.
- Sugar-Free: This recipe is naturally sugar-free, making it a great option for those watching their sugar intake.
Expert Tips for the Best Crock-Pot Tater Tot Casserole
- Proper Browning: Don’t skip browning the ground beef and onion. This step builds crucial flavor that enhances the entire casserole. Ensure you drain off any excess fat after browning to prevent a greasy final product.
- Layering Matters: Distribute your ingredients evenly in layers. This ensures that every bite has a good balance of flavors and textures, and it helps the casserole cook consistently.
- Don’t Peek Too Often: Resist the urge to lift the slow cooker lid frequently during cooking. Each time you lift the lid, heat escapes, and it can add 15-20 minutes to your overall cooking time.
- Cheese at the End: Adding the shredded cheese in the last 30 minutes prevents it from burning or becoming overly dry. It allows the cheese to melt into a creamy, bubbly topping.
- Rotel Awareness: If you’re unsure what Rotel looks like or where to find it, you can often find it in the canned tomato aisle of your grocery store. Here’s an example on Amazon if you’d like to see the can.
What to Serve with Your Comforting Casserole
This comfort food casserole, reminiscent of a cheeseburger and tater tot meal all in one, is incredibly satisfying on its own. However, pairing it with complementary dishes can create a truly memorable spread. Here are some pairing suggestions:
- Delicious Sides: Fresh green salads offer a crisp contrast. Steamed broccoli, green beans, or Broccoli Casserole add healthy greens. For heartier options, consider Funeral Potatoes or Jiffy Cornbread with Sour Cream to complement the rich flavors.
- Complementary Main Dishes (if serving a buffet): While this casserole can be a main, it pairs well with lighter protein options such as Cracker Barrel Chicken & Dumplings or CrockPot Rosemary Pork for a larger gathering.
- Sweet Endings: After a savory and satisfying meal, a sweet treat is the perfect finish. Classic choices like Ooey-Gooey Butter Cake, Lemon Bars, or Best Rice Krispie Treats offer a delightful contrast.
- Refreshing Drinks: Pair your meal with a refreshing Coke Slushie, a sweet CopyCat McDonald’s Sweet Tea, or a zesty Red Robin Freckled Lemonade.
When is the Best Time to Serve This Casserole?
This versatile Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole is perfect for a myriad of occasions:
- Lunch: A fantastic option for a satisfying and easy lunch.
- Easy Weeknight Dinners: Its simplicity and minimal fuss make it ideal for busy evenings.
- Potlucks: A guaranteed crowd-pleaser for office, church, or family potlucks.
- Cookouts & Casual Gatherings: Easy to transport and serve at informal get-togethers.
- Family & Friend Gatherings: A comforting meal that feeds a group with ease.
- Classic Comfort Food Cravings: When you need a warm, hearty, and satisfying meal.
- Delicious Ground Beef Casserole: A superb way to utilize ground beef in a creative and flavorful dish.
Explore More Delicious Recipe Collections
If you love this recipe, be sure to check out these other fantastic collections for more cooking inspiration:
Casserole Recipes for Busy Nights – Discover an array of easy casserole recipes that the entire family will adore.
Ground Beef Crockpot Recipes – Explore simple ground beef slow cooker recipes, perfect for any occasion from family dinners to potlucks.
Easy Potluck Recipes – Find recipes that are not only simple to make but also universally loved at any potluck gathering.
Easy Vegetable Side Dishes for Any Occasion – Learn stress-free ways to get delicious vegetables on your table.
For even more culinary delights, explore our copycat recipes, dessert recipes, and an extensive collection of our Crock-Pot Recipes.
Stay connected and get all our latest recipe posts by following Tammilee Tips on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
SLOW COOKER CROCK POT TATER TOT CASSEROLE RECIPE
Delicious Slow Cooker Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Recipe the entire family will love! Filled with ground beef and cheese, this recipe is sure to be a hit.
Print
Rate
8
370kcal
Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Beef browned
- 1 can RO-TEL Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies We used mild but you could easily use a hotter variety
- 16 Ounce Tater Tots frozen
- 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 Onion small
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Brown beef and add in chopped onion and Rotel. Drain any excess fat.
- Pour beef and onion mixture on the bottom of a greased Crock Pot.
- Mix in Cream of Chicken Soup until well combined with the beef mixture.
- Top with a single layer of frozen tater tots across the top.
- Cook on low for 2-3 hours, or until the casserole is heated through and bubbling.
- 30 minutes before you are going to serve the Tater Tot Casserole, top with shredded cheese and cover to melt.
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 225
Originally shared February 2013, updated in December 2018 and January 2020, with further comprehensive updates for this enhanced article.