Description
A hearty and comforting Tater Tot Casserole featuring lean ground turkey, crispy tater tots, a creamy mushroom and chicken soup sauce, and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a satisfying family dinner that’s easy to prepare and full of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
Produce & Frozen
- 1 bag (2 pounds) frozen tater tots
Dairy & Canned Goods
- 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
- 1 can (10 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Cook Ground Turkey: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, crumble and brown the lean ground turkey until it is fully cooked and no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Layer Turkey: Pour the cooked ground turkey evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out to form the first layer of the casserole.
- Add Tater Tots: Take the frozen tater tots from the bag and arrange them in a single, even layer over the ground turkey in the baking dish. The tots will create a crispy topping as they bake.
- Mix Soups and Milk: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, and evaporated milk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Pour Sauce: Pour the soup and milk mixture evenly over the layer of tater tots, making sure the tots are coated with the creamy sauce which will help bind the casserole together during baking.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish uncovered into the preheated oven. Bake for 45 minutes to allow the tater tots to crisp and the filling to bubble around the edges.
- Add Cheese and Final Bake: If using cheese, remove the casserole from the oven after 45 minutes and sprinkle shredded mild cheddar cheese evenly on top. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and slightly bubbly.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy this warm, cheesy, and comforting dish!
Notes
- Using lean ground turkey keeps the casserole lighter but you can substitute with ground beef if preferred.
- Ensure to drain excess grease after cooking the turkey to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Feel free to add vegetables like chopped onions or bell peppers cooked with the turkey for added flavor and nutrition.
- For a crispier tater tot topping, you can broil the casserole for 1-2 minutes after the final step, watching closely to prevent burning.
- This casserole reheats well and is great for leftovers.
