Beef and Onion Tater Tot Casserole

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A crowd-pleasing baked casserole featuring ground beef, caramelized onions, and crispy tater tots, ready in under an hour. This american-inspired kid friendly ready in about 40 minutes pairs ground beef, yellow onions, diced tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.2 (14 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 6 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Brown 1 pound ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until fully cooked, then drain excess fat.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 medium finely chopped yellow onions to the skillet with the beef, cooking for 5-7 minutes until translucent and golden, stirring occasionally.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces), 1/2 cup chicken broth, and 1 teaspoon dried thyme, bringing to a simmer for 3-4 minutes until flavors meld.
  4. Step 4: Transfer the beef mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish, top evenly with 2 cups tater tots, and bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until tots are crispy and golden brown.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Beef and Onion Tater Tot Casserole take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Beef and Onion Tater Tot Casserole?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Beef and Onion Tater Tot Casserole?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Beef and Onion Tater Tot Casserole for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Beef and Onion Tater Tot Casserole?

American kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes