Best Cheesy Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Simply the best Cheesy Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole recipe! With melty cheese, sour cream, green beans, corn, and tater tots, it’s like a cheeseburger in casserole form, comfort food at its best. It’s naturally gluten-free too!

Add this easy and delicious casserole to your rotating meals for busy weeknights. It’s a lifesaver for families often on the go with active, busy schedules. The whole family will love it! Your kids will clean their plates, the picky teens will ask for more, and the adults will beg for the recipe.

I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, use the Jump to Recipe to head straight there!

Simple Ingredients Tater Tot Casserole with Corn

• Ground Beef | I prefer lean ground beef for this burger-style casserole, but ground turkey or chicken can also work. Adjust seasonings accordingly as they have less fat and flavor.
• Onion and Garlic | Finely minced sweet yellow onion and a couple of minced garlic cloves are perfect for adding more depth to the flavor of this tasty casserole. If necessary, replace the fresh garlic with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder and the yellow onion with 1 teaspoon of onion powder.
• Worcestershire Sauce | A spoonful of Worcestershire sauce will boost the flavors immensely!
• Salt and pepper | Season the beef with kosher salt and ground black pepper.
• Green Beans and Corn | Add green beans and corn, fiber, and veggies to the casserole. 
• Sour cream | Add tangy and creamy notes with sour cream or Greek yogurt.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup | Used as the base of the creamy casserole sauce. I used organic, cream of mushroom, you could also use cream of chicken or cream of celery.
• Cheddar Cheese | This recipe wouldn’t be the same without shredded cheddar cheese! Freshly grated cheese is best because it melts better and tastes more authentic.
• Tater tots | Finally, you’ll need a bag of frozen tater tots. Again, I chose the organic option.

How to Make This Recipe for Tater Tot Casserole with Sour Cream

Step 1 | Prep and Brown the Ground Beef

Begin by preheating the oven to 375° F (190° C) and lightly greasing a 2-quart casserole or 9×9-inch baking dish with spray oil. 

Next, set a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef, drain excess grease. 

Scoot the meat to the side of the skillet and add the onions. Sauté them for a little while, then add the beef back into the mix, cooking for 3 to 5 more minutes until golden and translucent.

Then, stir in the minced garlic until it’s fragrant, about one minute. 

Step 2 | Begin Layering

Next, add Worcestershire sauce and season the beef with kosher salt and pepper, sprinkling on ½ teaspoon each, tasting and adjusting spices if needed.

Now, the hamburger meat is complete! Scoop the ground beef mixture into the baking dish, using the back of a spoon to smooth into an even layer. 

Mix cream of mushroom soup and sour cream in a medium bowl until they are smooth and thoroughly combined. Spread the sauce over the top of the beef mixture in a single layer. 

Step 3 | Add the Veggie & Cheese Layer

Next, add the (drained) canned corn and green beans, seasoning the green beans with a little sea salt and pepper.

Finish by evenly sprinkling the cheddar cheese over the green bean layer and top with the tater tots, keeping them nice and snug.

Slip the dish into the 375° F (190° C) hot oven and bake for 35 to 50 minutes until the casserole bubbles and the tater tots turn golden brown. 

If desired, reserve ¼ to ½ cup of shredded cheese and sprinkle over the tater tots for the last 5 minutes of baking. You could add some extra cheese rather than take from what’s in the casserole.

And that’s it! It doesn’t get much easier than that. Enjoy this cheesy goodness!

Casseroles are the ultimate comfort food that makes life easier. This Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole is like one giant hug and can be made with leftover holiday turkey or chicken! Also, check out my Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe, all made in the slow cooker.

Or, for something with a bit of heat, try this Easy Hatch Green Chile Relleno Casserole Recipe fit for any meal- breakfast, lunch, or dinner! My simple and low-carb Zucchini Ground Beef Casserole is a great one-skillet meal leaving you guilt-free! 

Variations & Substitutions

More Flavor: Add more flavor to this hearty casserole by sprinkling up to 1 teaspoon of chili powder or your favorite taco seasoning when browning the ground beef.

Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole: Crisp up 3 to 5 pieces of bacon and break them into bacon bits. Then, add them to the top of the tater tot casserole with a little shredded cheese during the last 5 minutes of baking. 

Not a Fan of Mushrooms? : Use cream of chicken soup or cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom soup.

How to Make Gluten-Free Tator Tot Casserole

This casserole is naturally gluten-free, but here are some tips to ensure it stays that way!

• Double-check your spices, Worcestershire sauce and soup to make sure they are gluten-free. I use Lee & Perrins Worcestershire sauce as it’s naturally gluten-free.
• Grate your cheese | Pre-shredded or grated cheese is the number one hider of gluten in the additives used to preserve the cheese.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Refrigerate – Tightly cover the baked and cooled casserole with aluminum foil and place it in the refrigerator; it will last 4-6 days. 

Freeze – To freeze cheesy hamburger tater tot casserole, let it cool to room temperature. Then, cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Label the package with the name and date before placing it in the freezer. Or place in airtight individual meal prep containers.

Reheat – When ready to reheat and serve the casserole, remove the plastic wrap and aluminum foil.

• Reheat from Frozen | Recover with aluminum foil and bake the casserole in the oven at 350° F (177° C) for 45-60 minutes or until heated through and bubbly. Remove aluminum foil last 10-15 minutes of baking for crisper tater tots.
• Reheat from Thawed | Thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, reheat the casserole, uncovered in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-30 minutes or until heated.

Microwave – Not my favorite way; you may also microwave casserole portions, place a paper towel to prevent splatter, and heat in 30-60 second intervals at 80% power until hot. The tater tots will be mushy; crisp them in an oven-safe dish at 375°F (190°C) for 5-10 minutes.

Can you freeze leftover tater tot casserole?

Yes, you can freeze leftover cheesy hamburger tater tot casserole. Make sure that the casserole has cooled to room temperature before freezing it.

To freeze, transfer the leftover casserole to an airtight container or a freezer-safe resealable bag, removing as much air as possible. Don’t forget to label the container or bag with the name and date, then place it in the freezer.

When you’re ready to enjoy the leftovers, thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, reheat the casserole in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-30 minutes or until heated through.

Best Side Dishes for Tater Tot Casserole with Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipe

If you’re trying to balance out this cheesy tater tot oven bake, serve it with these Southern-Style green beans. Another fantastic side of this hamburger casserole is my backyard BBQ-worthy, sweet, spicy Cowboy Baked Beans!

Best Desserts to Serve with Tater Tot Casserole with Corn

What comes to mind when you think of the best dessert for burgers and tater tots from your favorite fast food restaurant? Ice Cream! Try my homemade vanilla bean ice cream for a refreshing finish to an incredible meal. But I bet you won’t be able to resist my rich Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream with bits of freshly-baked fudge brownie!

More Hamburger-Inspired Recipes 

• Bison Burger Recipe with Caramelized Onions
• Healthy Cheeseburger Soup
• The Best Homemade Sloppy Joes
• Easy Zucchini Ground Beef Casserole

I hope you loved this cheesy hamburger tater tot casserole recipe — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!