This cheesy, hearty, tater tot casserole with ground beef and lentils will feel like a hug in the cold winter months, AND stretches your ground beef budget. As a farmer, I KNOW beef prices are high–and this recipe is a way that even I, a beef farmer, stretch our beef budget. Using half of the beef of a traditional casserole, but still packed with filling protein–lentils. The creamy filling and cheesy tater tot topping will be a family favorite. (And if you’re wondering–my 3 young kids cannot even tell there are lentils in this dish!!).
Are you team tater tot casserole or tater tot hot dish? Either way, you cannot go wrong with this recipe.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- uses only 1/2 lb of ground beef, but still packs protein–like I mentioned, beef is a pricey commodity right now. This is a way you can help stretch it! Use the other 1/2 for a small batch of BBQs, chili, topping for homemade pizza.. or double this recipe and freeze..
- Freezer Friendly: this casserole freezes beautifully.
- it’s cheesy, creamy and fairly easy. Need I say more?
- versatile. Use this as a base for other recipes..more on that later.
Ingredients in Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole
- Ground Beef – I use about 85% lean beef but any will work
- Green Lentils – we are simmering these before baking so they are nice and soft for the casserole
- Cream of Mushroom Soup
- Milk
- Cheddar Cheese, shredded- Hand shredded melts the best
- Tater Tots
- Mixed Vegetable Blend – I use the carrot, peas, green bean and corn blend in the freezer section of grocery stores
- Minced Garlic, Minced Onion, Worcestershire Sauce–little things that give big flavor
Substitutions and Variations
- you can replace the lentils with another 1/2 lb of ground beef
- add more mixed vegetables if you prefer, up to 2 cups. Or use a cup of whatever single vegetable you like (corn, peas, carrots, etc)
- Replace cream of mushroom with cream of chicken, cream of cheddar, etc for different flavors
- Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or venison
- Replace the tater tots with biscuits or mashed potatoes for a completely different casserole
How to Make Tater Tot Hotdish
- Prep Ingredients
simmer the lentils until softened and brown the ground beef. I like to brown the beef with garlic and onion to provide good flavor.
- Combine
Once beef and lentils are ready, combine the proteins, cream of mushroom soup, vegetables and milk together. Then, pour into a 9×9 dish.
- Toppings
Top with shredded cheese and tater tots. Bake at 375 F for 30 minutes covered with foil, and then another 10 minutes uncovered or until bubbling and tater tots are golden.
FAQs
Beef is a power house of essential nutrients that cannot be replaced easily. It is absolutely still a staple in a healthy diet, and provides a “bang for your buck” when it comes to nutritional value. This recipe is just a way to stretch that beef when budgets are tight–instead of having to eliminate it! Beef is a complete protein, has an excellent source of VitB12, Zinc, and Iron (iron which the body absorbs more efficiently than a plant based source!). It is overall a high quality protein that needs to remain in the diet– you can learn more about the benefits of beef here.
Sure, you can use an additional .5 lb of ground beef instead of lentils if you wish.
Yes. You can assemble it 1 day in advance and store in fridge. It also reheats well in microwave or oven.
Absolutely. Assemble the casserole and skip the baking step. Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before baking. You can also freeze leftovers after baking.
I use green lentils because they hold their shape after cooking. Brown lentils work too. Red and yellow may get mushy.
Yes. Just make sure to lightly steam or cook firmer veggies before adding them so everything bakes evenly.
Sure, use biscuits, mashed potatoes, diced sweet potatoes or even a breadcrumb-cheese mixture.
Yes, between the ground beef and lentils–this is a high protein casserole. Nutrition info is in recipe card.
What to pair with tater tot casserole?
This recipe already has vegetable, carb and protein–so it is basically a full meal! Here are a few simple additions I might add:
- side salad
- fruit of choice
- dessert! Try our classic chocolate chip cookies or rice krispie bar with caramel and chocolate for the perfect comfy desserts.
More cozy comfort meals
Ground Beef and Egg Noodles skillet meal
creamy beef and rice casserole
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I hope you love this comfy budget friendly tater tot dish!! – Bobbi Jo
Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef and Lentils
Equipment
- 9×9 casserole dish or similar size
- medium pot, pan, cooking utensils
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup green lentils
- 1 10.5 oz can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup mixed vegetables frozen (corn, carrots, green beans, peas)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 32 oz bag frozen tater tots will not use whole bag. 25-35 tots
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp minced onion
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil, and simmer the lentils until starting to soften- about 15-20 minutes (they will soften more when baked, too).1/2 cup green lentils
- While lentils are boiling, In a greased skillet, brown your ground beef. Add garlic and minced onion to the ground beef to help with flavor.1/2 lb ground beef, 1 tbsp minced onion, 1 tbsp minced garlic
- Strain the lentils and add to the browned beef. Then add the condensed soup, vegetables, Worcestershire and milk. Combine well and pour into 9×9 pan.1 10.5 oz can cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup mixed vegetables frozen, 1/4 cup milk, 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- Top with shredded cheddar and then line up your tater tots.1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 32 oz bag frozen tater tots
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes covered. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until casserole is bubbling and tater tots are golden. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Great comfort recipe. Nice to make a freezer meal to gift to a friend in need, too.