Slow-Cooker Tater Tot Casserole

Easy, homey and satisfying, slow-cooker Tater Tot casserole is a riff on a Minnesota hot dish made with ground meat, creamy condensed soup and a layer of golden potato nuggets smothered in cheese. It’s also a relatively hands-off supper, as this recipe is designed to let the appliance do the work. The most intensive aspect of the recipe is searing ground beef and vegetables in a skillet before layering them in the slow cooker with the other ingredients to finish baking into a savory, silky combination. It’s a great solution for a busy cool-weather weekend when you’re feeding a crowd but don’t want to be stuck standing by the stove. Plus, you can leave the appliance on the “keep warm” setting so you can easily accommodate a group even if everyone isn’t eating at the same time.

Slow-Cooker Tater Tot Casserole Ingredients

• Ground beef: The 2 pounds of ground beef, browned in a skillet ahead of time, serve as the foundation for this slow-cooker casserole. Drain the extra fat and drippings as you transfer the meat to the slow cooker to prevent the finished casserole from being soggy.
• Onions, mushrooms and garlic: Chopped onion, sliced fresh mushrooms and minced garlic browned in the beef drippings reinforce the meaty base of this Crockpot Tater Tot casserole with their savory flavors. Use any color onion and any type of sliced mushroom you like.
• Cream of mushroom soup: Stirring in condensed, undiluted soup is a quick way to make a silky mushroom gravy for the beef and vegetables. It coats the mixture in a velvety sauce, a tried-and-true strategy at play in many of our best casseroles.
• Green beans: A welcome dose of green in the form of ready-to-go cut green beans prevents this casserole from being entirely beige and brown. You can also use frozen mixed vegetables for even more color.
• Tater Tots: Topping the casserole with frozen Tater Tots creates a charming cobblestone effect on top, like a savory cobbler. Though using relatively round tots makes it easy to spoon up portions of the finished casserole, you could substitute fries or any other frozen fried potato product, if that’s what you have on hand.
• Cheddar cheese: A modest sprinkling of cheese on top melts into the Tater Tot layer as this casserole cooks. Use medium, sharp or extra-sharp cheddar, whatever your preference.

Directions   

Step 1: Brown the beef and vegetables

In a large skillet, cook the beef over medium-high heat until it’s no longer pink, five to six minutes, breaking it into crumbles. Drain the beef and transfer it to a 5-quart slow cooker. Add the onion and mushrooms to the skillet and cook them over medium-high heat until the vegetables are tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook one minute longer. Stir in the condensed soup, salt and pepper.

Step 2: Assemble the casserole and bake

Add the vegetable mixture into the slow cooker, then add the green beans and stir to combine. Top that with the Tater Tots in a single layer, then sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top. Cook, covered, on low for six hours. Let the casserole stand, uncovered, for 15 minutes before serving.

Slow-Cooker Tater Tot Casserole Variations

• Add other spices: Add thyme, herbes de provence, a spoonful of barbecue rub or homemade taco seasoning mix as you cook the ground beef to add another layer of flavor.
• Change up the cheese: Feel free to change out the cheddar cheese for a blend of shredded cheeses, pepper jack or Swiss. A cheddar cheese infused with horseradish would be particularly tasty with the other ingredients.
• Swap out the soup: If you don’t have cream of mushroom on hand, use a can of condensed cream of onion or cream of chicken soup instead. You could also use a canned condensed cheddar cheese soup for even more cheesy flavor.
• Get more veggies in: You can add a cup of frozen peas or stir in some fresh baby spinach before adding the Tater Tot layer.

How to Store Slow-Cooker Tater Tot Casserole

To store any leftover Crockpot Tater Tot casserole, let it cool completely, then refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to three days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave, the oven or in an oven-safe ramekin in an air fryer to re-crisp the tots.

Can you freeze slow-cooker Tater Tot casserole?

While you can absolutely prepare and freeze this casserole recipe ahead of time, it’s not hugely practical to do so because it would require the liner of your slow cooker to be taking up space in your freezer. Instead, follow the method in our Tater Tot Casserole for a very similar freezer-to-oven dish.

Slow-Cooker Tater Tot Casserole Tips   

Can you make Tater Tot casserole in an Instant Pot?

Absolutely. You’ll use the slow-cook setting.

What can you serve with Tater Tot casserole?

Because everything in this Crockpot Tater Tot casserole has a soft texture, it benefits from something fresh and bright alongside, like a 30-minute salad you can put together as the casserole finishes cooking. It also feels particularly appropriate to serve a casserole with a homey, make-ahead dessert like brownies or coconutty magic bars.