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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Dinner » Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole

Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole

by Sarah Olson on November 25, 2022 | Updated December 14, 2022 103 Comments

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tater tot casserole images with text of ingredients.
2 images of tater tot casserole.
super long image of tater tot casserole being scooped out crock pot.
tater tot casserole images with text of what the ingredients are.
collage of tater tot casserole images with text overlay for pinterest.

Want a recipe for the BEST tater tot casserole? Try my easy slow cooker tater tot casserole made with green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and cheddar cheese. You will absolutely love the hearty layers of this dish.

What’s your favorite comfort food? Mine is definitely tater tot casserole! Another version I have on the blog is my John Wayne Casserole, it’s a southwestern version of this. Or try my Chicken Tater Tot Casserole.

Scoop of tater tot casserole coming from crock pot.

What are tater tots?

If you are in the United States you are probably familiar with what tater tots are, but other regions have asked me many questions about tater tots.

  • Tater tots are a potato product that is crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. They are made from grated potato that is shredded and formed into a cylinder shape and deep fried.
  • In the UK, tater tots may be called Potato Crunchies or Mini Hashbrowns.
  • In Canada, you may find them labeled as Spud puppies or Tasti Taters.
  • In Australia or New Zealand, they may be called Potato Gems or Potato Royals.

Regardless of where you’re from or what you call them, they are absolutely delicious and the highlight of any tater tot casserole recipe.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for tater tot casserole on a table.
  • Ground Beef: Go for a leaner beef if you want less fat content.
  • Tater Tots: All you need is a bag of frozen tater tots.
  • Green Beans: Adds a hearty touch to the casserole.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Shredded and sprinkled on top for a cheesy finish.
  • Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup: Provides a creamy and tasty texture to the dish.
  • Milk: Added with the mushroom soup to thin out the sauce.
  • Seasonings: Salt and pepper add the perfect amount of flavor.
  • Onion: A small diced onion is added for enhanced flavor and heartiness.

Step-by-Step Directions

6 images showing how to assemble tater tot casserole in a crockpot.

Step One – Brown ground beef and onion in a skillet and drain the fat.

Step Two – Add cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt and pepper to the beef. Stir. Set aside.

Step Three – Add half a bag of frozen tater tots to the bottom of the slow cooker.

Step Four – Then add green beans.

Step Five – Now add the remaining tater tots.

Step Six – Pour the ground beef mixture over the tots and spread out to an even layer. Sprinkle over the cheese. Cover and cook on low for 5 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.

Overhead shot of tater tot casserole in slow cooker.

How can I make this healthier?

On my blog, I have a version of this made with hash browns (not fried) and that really lightens up the recipe. You can find that recipe here: Slow Cooker Lightened Up Tater Tot Casserole.

scoop of tater tot casserole on a spoon.

How to serve

  • This easy tater tot casserole is served perfectly as is. Simply scoop a nice helping into a bowl and enjoy.
  • Crock pot tater tot casserole can be topped with extra cheese, chives, and/or sliced green onion. We are guilty of topping ours with ketchup! It’s so good.
  • Roasted veggies, green salad, and roasted asparagus also taste amazing with this dish.
scoop of tater tot casserole out of crockpot and two bowl filled with it.

Recipe FAQs

Do tater tots get mushy in the crock pot?

Yes, though you will find the texture is great. The potatoes break down into little bits, creating a wonderful texture to the casserole. If you are on the fence about trying this, just try it once; it’s one of the best meals you will make in the slow cooker.

Can I use frozen or fresh green beans instead of canned green beans?

We often use canned green beans in our house, but this recipe is adaptable, and fresh or frozen green beans work fine; the slow cooker will cook them perfectly. Use 2-3 cups of fresh or frozen in place of the canned in this recipe.

Can I use a different kind of condensed soup mix?

Although this recipe calls for cream of mushroom soup, you can also use cream of chicken soup or cream of cheddar soup.

What other meat pairs well with this casserole?

Ground chicken and ground turkey are great substitutions and taste just as delicious.

How do I store leftovers?

Any remaining casserole can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 4 days.

bowl filled with tater tot casserole.

The flavors all come together after slow cooking. Try this recipe out this week and leave a comment on what you thought. Enjoy!

Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

Overhead shot of tater tot casserole in slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole

4.93 from 51 votes
Tater tots and a hearty meat mixture cooked in the crock pot for a comforting and classic meal.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 507kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 21 oz. cream of mushroom soup (two 10.5 oz. cans)
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 32 oz. bag tater tots
  • 29 oz. green beans (two 14.5 oz. cans, drained) or 2-3 cups fresh or frozen
  • 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • In a large skillet set over medium high heat add the ground beef and onion. Cook until the beef is brown. Drain fat. Add the cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt and pepper to the beef. Stir. Set aside.
  • Add half of the tater tots to the slow cooker, spread them out to an even layer. Add the green beans next. Then the rest of the tater tots. Pour the meat mixture over and spread out. Spinkle over the cheese.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 5 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time. Serve and enjoy!
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How to Video:

Recipe Notes:

Can I cook this on the high setting?
I recommend the low setting for thicker, less liquidy dishes like this for they can tend to burn on the high setting.
Can I use a different soup?
Although this recipe calls for cream of mushroom soup, you can also use cream of chicken soup or cream of cheddar soup.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 507kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 1299mg | Potassium: 861mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1017IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 287mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

More great tater tot recipes:

  • Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole – Recipe by The Country Cook
  • Chili Tater Tot Casserole – Recipe by Crazy for Crust
  • Tater Tot Nachos – Recipe by Family Fresh Meals
  • Cheesy Tater Tot and Steak Breakfast Burritos – Recipe by Kitchen Divas
  • Loaded Tater Tot Dip – Recipe by Averie Cooks

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    13718 shares
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    Filed Under: Beef, Dinner, Ground Beef

    Comments

    1. Kathy Lux says

      January 26, 2023 at 3:26 pm

      Can you freeze leftovers?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 26, 2023 at 4:48 pm

        I don’t see why not!

        Reply
    2. Michelle says

      November 16, 2022 at 12:36 am

      Can I not brown the beef? Just put raw meat into the slow cooker

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        November 16, 2022 at 7:06 am

        Not for this recipe, it would turn out like meatloaf and make the dish watery.

        Reply
    3. Blithe says

      September 8, 2022 at 10:01 pm

      5 stars
      I made this recipe for the first time last Sunday and it was delicious! It even pleased my picky little ones. We’re vegetarians so we used vegetarian ground, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce and added a can of black beans. Thanks!

      Reply
    4. Steve French says

      August 30, 2022 at 2:46 pm

      I used cream of bacon soup and ranch dip instead of milk. Vadellia onion.
      All yummy.

      Reply
    5. Anonymous says

      July 3, 2022 at 1:01 pm

      5 stars
      I used to make this in the oven all the time. I recently got a slow cooker and found your recipe so I knew this was what I’d make first. It turned out really good, better than the oven way I think!

      I did substitute the cream of mushroom for cream of chicken and the diced onion for onion powder, however. Probably tastes close enough either way.

      Reply
    6. Anonymous says

      June 19, 2022 at 5:04 pm

      Pour over the beef mixture…. SO pour the beef mixture over it? What i the hell?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        June 19, 2022 at 5:42 pm

        Look at the steps before it? Everything goes into the slow cooker. It’s a very simple recipe; you add a layer of tots, the green beans, a layer of tots, then the beef mixture.

        Reply
    7. Jennifer Skelton says

      April 26, 2022 at 5:19 pm

      Can you use cream of chicken or cream of cheddar instead of cream of mushroom?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        April 26, 2022 at 5:35 pm

        Yes, that will work well.

        Reply
    8. Tina says

      February 6, 2022 at 10:46 am

      Trying this for the time. Treating all my coworkers tomorrow.Put it all together but not cooking till I get to work tomorrow..

      Reply
    9. Mary says

      February 3, 2022 at 8:10 am

      Do you thaw the tater tots before putting in the crockpot?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        February 3, 2022 at 8:32 am

        No, you do not need to thaw.

        Reply
    10. Jenifer Van Able says

      September 27, 2021 at 8:01 am

      5 stars
      Try Campbell’s chicken gumbo soup in lue of cream of mushroom. Gives a great flavor.

      Reply
    11. Martha Merza says

      August 26, 2021 at 2:23 pm

      5 stars
      This looks yummy! Do the tater tots get crispy in the crock pot? Would much rather make it this way than in the oven. 🙂

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        August 26, 2021 at 3:35 pm

        They do not get crispy. They fall apart into little bits but taste like bits of hash browns. We love it.

        Reply
      • Anonymous says

        December 31, 2021 at 7:37 am

        I cook the taters in the oven for a few before adding to the crock pot gives it a little bit of a crisp

        Reply
    12. Catherine L Hypio says

      July 9, 2021 at 8:17 pm

      5 stars
      I Love this and have made it twice already. Hoping to find out if I could use fresh sliced potatoes instead of I don’t have tater tots??

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        July 9, 2021 at 9:52 pm

        Yes! You’ll have to test it out with the timing though.

        Reply
    13. Cindy G. says

      June 25, 2021 at 9:54 am

      5 stars
      I’ve never combined tater tots with green beans so I wasn’t sure about this recipe. Glad I tried it! I made it exactly as written with the exception of adding about 1/4 cup of packaged real bacon pieces on top of the green beans. My husband loves anything with bacon! It is a real family winner! So creamy and delicious. Of course I added extra cheese too! For those on a budget this is keeper. Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
    14. Angelle says

      April 5, 2021 at 9:12 am

      Has anyone tried using cauliflower tots instead of regular tots?

      Reply
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