Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Recipe- Tammilee Tips (2024)

Here’s a delicious Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Recipe filled with hamburger, cheese, and tater tots. This recipe is super easy to make and tastes fantastic. Six ingredients and the slow cooker does most of the work. A great family dinner, especially on busy nights!

Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Recipe- Tammilee Tips (1)

Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole

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This recipe was so much fun to make, and I love how easy the CrockPot makes it to put together a delicious Tater Tot Casserole the entire family will love. Cheesy, meaty goodness that everyone loves! This slow cooker recipe is in our top crockpot recipe rotation to make for dinner as often as possible.

It is so easy to make and tastes so good! There is something so delicious about the combination of tater tots, hamburger meat, and cheese.

Who am I kidding–maybe let's be honest and just admit that tater tots make almost anything taste great? Lol! 🙂

I can't believe we first shared this recipe back in February 2013.

We are still having so much fun using the Crock-Pot. I aim to make at least one meal a week in the Crock-Pot.

I have a massive list of recipes written out that I can't wait to try.

This Easy Tater Tot Casserole is going on our dinner menu more often!

Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Recipe- Tammilee Tips (2)

Ingredients

Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients needed to make an epic CrockPot Tater Tot Casserole! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.

  • Ground Beef
  • Rotel
  • Frozen Tater Tots
  • Cream of Chicken Soup or Cream of Mushroom Soup
  • Small Onion
  • Cheddar Cheese

Optional Additions - Mushrooms, Corn, Frozen Vegetables, Peas, Garlic Powder, onion powder, Salt and pepper to taste.

Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Recipe- Tammilee Tips (3)

Equipment Needed

  • CrockPot: We suggest using a CrockPot with a digital timer that automatically switches the slow cooker to warm after a set time to ensure your dinner cooks perfectly, and you don't have to stress about when it will finish. I am totally in love with this Bob Ross Happy Little Trees Slow Cooker. It is going on my must-have list.
  • Mix n Chop - We use the mix n chop to break up the ground beef and love it.
  • Baking Dish with Lids: These baking dishes work great for storing leftovers.
  • Slotted Serving Spoon: This large spoon is perfect for dishing up this tater tot casserole.
  • CrockPot Liners: If you want to make cleanup easier, use these CrockPot liners. You can also spray the slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.

Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Recipe- Tammilee Tips (4)

How to Make CrockPot Tater Tot Casserole

I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.

  1. Brown beef and add in chopped onion and Rotel over medium heat.
  2. Pour ground beef mixture on the bottom of a greased Crock Pot.
  3. Stir in cream of chicken soup.
  4. Top with a layer of tater tots across the top.
  5. Cook low
  6. Before you serve the Tater Tot Casserole, top with shredded cheese.

Preparation and Storage

Make Ahead: This yummy casserole takes two to three hours to cook in your slow cooker, giving you time to relax or work on other menu items.

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy them within three days.

Freezing/How to Freeze: Freeze leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe container and enjoy them within three months.

How to Reheat: You can reheat your Tater Tot Casserole leftovers using the microwave or oven, depending on how many portions you need to prepare. Let frozen servings thaw overnight in the fridge to ensure they reheat evenly.

Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Recipe- Tammilee Tips (5)

Recipe Variations

Substitutions:

You can replace ground beef with ground chicken, ground sausage, or ground turkey if you don’t eat red meat or prefer something other than beef.

We like using shredded cheddar in this recipe but feel free to use any other cheese you would enjoy in a burger.

Vegetarian Option: Swap the ground beef and cream of chicken soup with meatless alternatives to make this recipe vegetarian.

Vegan Option: In addition to the guidance for vegetarians, vegans should replace the cream of chicken soup and shredded cheddar cheese with plant-based alternatives.

Gluten-Free: Look for gluten-free labels on the tater tots and cream of chicken soup to ensure they are safe for a gluten-free diet.

Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings: The written recipe makes eight servings. Scale it up or down to your desired yield, working in batches according to your slow cooker’s capacity if you scale up.

Make It Spicy:

We used mild Rotel, but you could easily use a hotter variety for more heat.

Spicy cheese, like pepper jack, would be a fantastic way to add spice to this casserole.

You can also add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce for a Tater Tot Casserole with a kick.

Sugar-Free: The written recipe does not contain any sugar.

Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Recipe- Tammilee Tips (6)

Tips for the Best CrockPot Tater Tot Casserole

  • There have been questions about what Rotel looked like on the shelf. Here it is on Amazon so that you can see the can.

What to Serve with CrockPot Tater Tot Casserole

This comfort food casserole has all the goodness of a cheeseburger and tater tot meal in one satisfying dish! Here are some pairing suggestions to inspire your menu planning.

Sides: Broccoli Casserole, Apple Stuffing, Funeral Potatoes, BLT Pasta Salad, Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon, Air Fryer Baked Potato, Jiffy Cornbread with Sour Cream, Sweet Potato Casserole with Candied Yams, Southern Style Green Beans, CrockPot Bourbon Baked Beans

Main Dishes: Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken, Stovetop Meatloaf, Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers, CrockPot Rosemary Pork, , , CrockPot Salisbury Steak,

Desserts: Ooey-Gooey Butter Cake, Lemon Bars, Lemon Icebox Pie, Best Rice Krispie Treats, Bisquick Blueberry Cobbler, Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding, Bisquick Apple Cobbler, Bisquick Peach Cobbler, Molasses Cookies, Banana Bread, Classic Chocolate Brownies

Drinks: co*ke Slushie, Red Robin Freckled Lemonade, CopyCat McDonald's Sweet Tea

Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Recipe- Tammilee Tips (7)

When to Serve

  • Lunch
  • When you need an Easy Dinner Recipe
  • Potlucks (Office, church, family)
  • Cookouts
  • Family and Friend Gatherings
  • Classic Comfort Food
  • Delicious Ground Beef Casserole

Great Recipe Collections

Casserole Recipes for Busy Nights - The best easy casserole recipes the entire family will love.

Ground Beef Crockpot Recipes- Easy Ground Beef Crockpot Recipes perfect for every occasion! From family dinners to potlucks these ground beef recipes are perfect!

Easy Potluck Recipes - These recipes are easy to make and everyone will love them!

Easy Vegetable Side Dishes for Any Occasion - Great ways to get veggies on the table without a huge amount of stress.

Do you love recipes? Check out our copycat recipes, dessert recipes, and our CrockPot Recipes.

Follow Tammilee Tips on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for all our recipe posts.

Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Recipe- Tammilee Tips (8)

SLOW COOKER CROCK POT TATER TOT CASSEROLE RECIPE

Delicious Slow Cooker Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Recipe the entire family will love! Fill with ground beef and cheese this recipe is sure to be a hit.

5 from 6 votes

Print Rate

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours hours

Total Time: 3 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 370kcal

Author: Tammilee Tips

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Brown beef and add in chopped onion and Rotel

  • Pour beef and onion mixture on the bottom of a greased Crock Pot

  • Mix in Cream of Chicken Soup

  • Top with tater tots across the top

  • Cook low for 2-3 hours.

  • 30 minutes before you are going to serve the Tater Tot Casserole top with shredded cheese.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

SLOW COOKER CROCK POT TATER TOT CASSEROLE RECIPE

Amount Per Serving

Calories 370Calories from Fat 225

% Daily Value*

Fat 25g38%

Saturated Fat 11g69%

Cholesterol 69mg23%

Sodium 472mg21%

Potassium 360mg10%

Carbohydrates 16g5%

Fiber 1g4%

Protein 18g36%

Vitamin A 285IU6%

Vitamin C 5.5mg7%

Calcium 225mg23%

Iron 1.6mg9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Love this recipe?Follow @TammileeTIps on Pinterest

Tried this recipe?Mention @TammileeTipsLife when you share a photo!

Originally shared February 2013, updated in December 2018 and January 2020

Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Recipe- Tammilee Tips (2024)

FAQs

Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Recipe- Tammilee Tips? ›

Why is my tater tot casserole soggy? If your casserole is soggy, it's likely either because there was too much moisture or it has not baked long enough. Be sure to sauté the onions thoroughly, and bake until the filling is bubbly.

Why is my tater tot casserole soggy? ›

Why is my tater tot casserole soggy? If your casserole is soggy, it's likely either because there was too much moisture or it has not baked long enough. Be sure to sauté the onions thoroughly, and bake until the filling is bubbly.

What goes well with tater tot casserole? ›

The best side dishes to serve with tater tot casserole are blooming onion, blistered tomatoes, Korean corn dogs, potato rosti, coconut shrimp, cucumber salad, mozzarella sticks, collard greens, quinoa salad, grilled asparagus, sweet cornbread, loaded baked potato, spinach and strawberry salad, fried rice, and zucchini ...

Can you freeze tater tot casserole after you cook it? ›

Yes, you can freeze tater tot casserole – but it's best to freeze it before cooking. Assemble the casserole according to the recipe but, instead of baking it, wrap the whole thing in storage wrap. Wrap it again in aluminum foil. Freeze the casserole for up to four months, then bake it according to the recipe.

What is tater tot casserole made of? ›

This may be a regional thing but you could also call this a tater tot hotdish. It has all the necessary elements—potatoes, meat, and can of condensed soup. In the Midwest where I live, we call it a casserole. Layers of meat, cheese and potatoes create an affordable, filling meal- you'll love this easy recipe!

How do you make a casserole not soggy? ›

To prevent a soupy casserole, be sure to fully thaw any frozen vegetables in a colander over a bowl, and pat dry, squeeze excess moisture out of greens like spinach or chard, and quickly precook watery fresh vegetables like onions, mushrooms or squashes just until they release their moisture.

How do you keep a casserole moist? ›

Pro Tip: Avoid Dry Casserole.

The best way to prevent it from drying out is to add a little bit of water, around ¼ cup, to the top of it. Allow the water to seep between the food and the sides of the baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil to seal in the moisture.

What is the difference between a tater tot hotdish and a Tater Tot casserole? ›

But, while anything baked in a casserole can be called a casserole, the Midwestern preparation known as "hotdish" is much more specific. A hotdish always consists of meat, vegetables, a starch, and sauce—it's not a side dish, but an entire meal unto itself.

What sauce goes good with tater tots? ›

Ketchup or malt vinegar. Some people like hot sauce, BBQ sauce, or cheese sauce. Why are French fries the only potato food we put ketchup on?

What meat goes good with tater tots? ›

Just pile tots and your favorite nacho toppings onto romaine lettuce. Add protein with shredded rotisserie chicken, or leftover chili or pulled pork.

Is it better to freeze casseroles cooked or uncooked? ›

The answer depends on what's in it. Casseroles with raw protein (meat, poultry, seafood) should be completely cooked before freezing. However dishes with pre-cooked meats or no meat are fine to go in the freezer uncooked.

How many tater tots per person? ›

Load 'em up like a baked potato

First, bake or air fry your tots until crispy and golden. If you're cooking for a group, aim to prepare around 10 to 12 tots per person — more if folks are hungry.

How long can you keep a tater tot casserole out? ›

TWO HOURS is the MAXIMUM time perishable foods should be at room temperature (ONE HOUR at temperatures 90 degrees F and higher). This INCLUDES the time they're on the table during your meal.

What country is tater tot casserole from? ›

Hotdish
A tater tot hotdish
CourseMain or side dish
Place of originUnited States
Region or stateUpper Midwest
Main ingredientsStarch (potatoes, pasta, etc.), cream soup (typically cream of mushroom), meat, vegetables

What were tater tots originally called? ›

Tater Tots History and Popularity

Created by Ore-Ida in the 1950s to limit waste during french fry production, tater tots (also known as potato rounds) have come a long way from their humble origin.

Is tater tot casserole a Midwest thing? ›

This tater tot casserole is a family favorite Midwest comfort food that's layered with tender veggies and ground beef in a creamy gravy topped with melted cheese and tater tots.

Why is my hash brown casserole soggy? ›

Frozen hash browns will leak moisture during cooking, which could leave a soggy, sad mess behind. For the best results, let the frozen hash browns thaw overnight in the fridge, then thoroughly pat them dry to remove as much moisture as possible before cooking them to crispy.

How to get crispy tots in the oven? ›

Brush/mist each tot with olive oil, be generous. Transfer to the oven and bake 10-12 minutes, slide a spatula underneath the tots, then flip and bake 10 more minutes. Flip once to the uncooked side, bake 10-12 minutes, until golden and crisp.

Why are my tater tots not crispy? ›

For extra crispy tater tots, you can lightly spray them with cooking spray or drizzle some oil over them before baking. If you're short on time, you can increase the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and reduce the cooking time by a few minutes.

Why is my hash brown casserole watery? ›

Do you thaw frozen hash browns before cooking? Yes, you need to thaw hash brown potatoes before you cook them. First off, they won't combine well with the other casserole ingredients. And secondly, they will make the casserole watery.

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