Cheeseburger Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
This comforting casserole combines seasoned ground beef, a creamy cheese sauce, and crispy tater tots, all topped with more cheese and fresh chives for a hearty meal.
Equipment
- Large skillet or Dutch oven
- Baking dish
Ingredients
Meat
- 1 lb ground beef lean or regular
Produce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup yellow onion chopped
- 2 garlic minced
- 1/4 cup fresh chives chopped
Pantry
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix 1 oz
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 bag frozen tater tots 32 oz
Dairy
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese plus 1/2 cup for topping
- 1/2 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
Seasoning
- Salt
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cooking the Beef and Sauce
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet and cook ground beef until no pink remains, then drain excess grease.
- Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, then stir in minced garlic for one minute.
- Stir in ranch seasoning mix, ketchup, and mustard, cooking for 2 minutes to blend flavors.
- Pour in beef broth and milk, bring to a simmer, then stir in 1 cup of cheddar cheese and all Colby Jack cheese until melted and smooth; season with salt and pepper.
Assembling and Baking
- Transfer the beef and cheese mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the beef mixture.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over tots, and return to oven for 5-7 minutes until melted and bubbly.
Finishing
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving, then garnish with fresh chopped chives.
Notes
For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of smoked paprika to the beef mixture. If you prefer a spicier kick, a dash of hot sauce can be added to the cheese sauce. You can also customize the cheese blend to your liking!