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 5 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

Why is my Tater Tot casserole soggy? ›

Overcrowding: If the tater tots and other ingredients are packed too tightly, they may steam rather than bake, leading to sogginess. Temperature: Cooking at too low a temperature may not allow the casserole to firm up, resulting in a soggy texture.

What is the meaning of Tater Tot casserole? ›

In the Midwest states, tater tot hotdish is a very popular soup-based casserole consisting of tater tots, ground beef and various vegetables. Food franchises Potato Corner and Papa John's also offer tater tots in select locations, though in the latter case these are branded as 'Potato Tots'.

How much is a serving of Tater Tot casserole? ›

Tattooed Chef
Nutrition Facts
For a Serving Size of 1 cup (142g)
How many calories are in Tater Tot Casserole? Amount of calories in Tater Tot Casserole: Calories 290Calories from Fat 171 (59%)
% Daily Value *
How much fat is in Tater Tot Casserole? Amount of fat in Tater Tot Casserole: Total Fat 19g-
16 more rows

How to heat up tater tot casserole? ›

Place the casserole in an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil to prevent the tots from burning. Reheat for about 15-20 minutes, checking for a crispy exterior and hot interior.

How do you keep a casserole moist? ›

Covering a casserole (whether with a lid or with aluminum foil) is important because it helps keep moisture and heat inside the baking dish. This encourages even baking throughout, ensuring that noodles come out perfectly al dente and cheese melts uniformly.

How do you make a casserole not soggy? ›

Just because your casserole is starting to look a bit soupy doesn't mean it's beyond saving. In fact, all you need to do is add some pasta noodles or grains to your base. This trick works for the simple reason that both types of ingredients soak up water as they cook.

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 state is known for tater tot casserole? ›

The first published recipe for hotdish was in a 1930s community cookbook published by the Grace Lutheran Ladies Aid from Mankato, Minnesota. The 90-year-old recipe was submitted by Mrs. C.W. Anderson.

What country is Tater Tot casserole from? ›

United States

What to serve with tater tot casserole? ›

What can I serve this with? This tater tot casserole could be served as a side dish itself alongside roasted meats such as roast chicken, turkey, beef or ham. If you're serving this as the main dish then why not try serving this tater tot casserole with green beans, spinach, or a bountiful fresh salad.

How long can you keep a Tater Tot casserole out? ›

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food and safety basics states cooked food can be left at room temperature up to two hours. If the temperature outside (or inside your house) is 90°F or above, you should cut that time in half.

What goes well with TATER TOTS? ›

Tots add a nice crunch to any sandwich, especially a melty grilled cheese. Change up the meat and cheese depending on what you and your kid's like. Grilled ham and Swiss sandwiches, and turkey cheddar melts, are both even better with tots.

How do you keep tater tots warm for a party? ›

If you're cooking for more than one serving size worth of tater tots but want to keep them warm while the next batch student is cooking, a good trick will be to keep them in the oven at a temperature of 200°F. They'll remain crispy and delicious until they're all cooked.

Can you freeze leftover tater tot casserole? ›

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.

How long to cook a casserole that has been refrigerated? ›

For example, assemble a vegetable casserole a day in advance, refrigerate and then bake the day of your dinner. Plan 15 to 20 minutes additional heating time for the refrigerated cold casserole. Heat until it's hot and steamy throughout (165 °F as measured by a food thermometer).

How to keep tater tots from getting soggy? ›

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) before baking the frozen tater tots. This high temperature will help them become crispy without becoming soggy. How long should I bake frozen tater tots for? Bake the frozen tater tots for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

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.

What happens if you overcook tater tots? ›

Don't overcook the potatoes. If you boil them for too long (like if you were making mashed potatoes), they won't shred easily. To save time, you can skip boiling and cook the potatoes in the microwave. If you have a slotted spoon, use it to lower the tots into the hot oil.

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