Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Base
- ½ pound ground beef (85/15 lean)
- ½ cup cooked bacon, crumbled
Creamy Mixture
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or canned, drained)
- ⅔ cup condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
- ⅓ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup sour cream
Seasonings & Topping
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 32 oz bag frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter. This ensures the casserole won’t stick and makes cleanup easier. The preheated oven will help the tater tots become crispy while the filling gets hot and bubbly.
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and no pink remains, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat. Breaking up the beef ensures even cooking and proper texture throughout the casserole, while draining the fat prevents the dish from becoming greasy.
- Create the Filling: Add the corn, cream of mushroom soup, ½ cup of the cheddar cheese, milk, sour cream, onion powder, black pepper, and crumbled bacon to the skillet with the beef. This step combines all the creamy elements with the protein base, building layers of flavor that will make the casserole rich and satisfying.
- Mix Everything: Stir all the ingredients in the skillet until well combined and the cheese starts to melt, creating a creamy, flavorful mixture. The heat from the pan will help melt the cheese and integrate all the flavors together, creating a cohesive sauce that will bind the casserole.
- Assemble the Base: Spread the beef mixture evenly in your prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, creating a smooth base layer. An even distribution ensures every serving will have a balanced amount of the delicious filling.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheese over the beef mixture, then arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top, covering the entire surface. The tater tots will become the crispy, golden crown of the casserole while the cheese underneath melts into the filling.
- Bake the Casserole: Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is bubbling around the edges. Baking uncovered allows the tater tots to crisp properly, while the heat thoroughly cooks the filling and melds all the flavors together.
- Melt Final Cheese: Remove from oven and sprinkle any remaining cheese on top, then bake for another 5 minutes until the cheese is melted. This final cheese addition creates a beautiful melty top that adds extra richness to the finished dish.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set up. Serve hot for the best comfort food experience! This brief resting period allows the casserole to firm up slightly, making it easier to portion and serve.
Notes
- For extra flavor, try adding diced onions or bell peppers to the beef while browning.
- You can substitute ground turkey for beef for a lighter option.
- For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the filling.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
- The casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated, just add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg