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, or Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole.
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
- 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
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.
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.
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.
Recipe FAQs
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.
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.
Although this recipe calls for cream of mushroom soup, you can also use cream of chicken soup or cream of cheddar soup.
Ground chicken and ground turkey are great substitutions and taste just as delicious.
Any remaining casserole can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 4 days.
The flavors all come together after slow cooking. Try this recipe out this week and leave a comment on what you thought. Enjoy!
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Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole
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 frozen tater tots
- 29 oz. green beans (two 14.5 oz. cans, drained) or 2-3 cups fresh or frozen
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
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!
How to Video:
Sarah’s Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More great tater tot recipes:
- Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole – Recipe by The Country Cook
- Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
- 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
Patrick says
I made this for a Packer game and it was a total hit !! Added extra cheese of course.
Judy says
Could you use cream of potato soup instead. Hubby does not like mushroom or mushroom soup
Sarah Olson says
If you could find cream of onion or celery (if he’d eat it) that would be less chunky. But the cream of potato would work fine in a pinch. 🙂
Cindy Ring says
Try cream of chicken
Debra Kaye Gray says
I mix rotel tomatoes & green chili and Cambell’s Fiesta Nacho Cheese Soup with the meat and pour it over cooked tator tots in a cake pan and put it in the oven with shredded cheese on top. My family LOVES it. You can fry the tator tots or cook them in the oven. The crock pot idea would work too.
James Leonhard says
Do you drain your beef after browning? Or is the extra grease needed for the recipe, I would drain normally.
Sarah Olson says
I would drain James! Great question!
Jennifer Kaye Barfield says
I grew up on this stuff and cook it regularly. I do it all different though. I use cream of mushroom soup and cream of celery mixed with the browned hamburger. Put all that in a casserole dish and top with a solid layer of tater tots. place in oven on 350 degrees for about 30mins or until the tater tots are golden brown then take out of oven, spread out a layer of shredded cheddar cheese and place back in oven. Let it cook until the cheese is melted then it’s ready to eat!!
Danielle says
I just put all of the mixture in the Crock Pot. It only took me 30 minutes! Awesome! And it looks amazing! Thanks for a great recipe!
Joe says
Danielle do you cook the hamburger before putting everything in the crock pot or mix it raw with everything
Jen says
My husband was just asking me to make this the other day! Now I have a great recipe to make – thank you, looks and sounds delish!
Jodie says
I’ve heard of tater tot casserole, but in the slow cooker I will have to try!
Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads says
This sounds so good!I never thought to make it in the slow cooker!
Debi @ Life Currents says
I love tater tots! This is a rocking recipe! I think it’d be great at a potluck or even for a brunch. Thanks!
j connell says
I cannot stomach tater tots so cut up potatoes into cubes and used Vegan Meat Crumbles for the ground beef and it turned out amazing too.
Bill Brasky says
No…
Kim says
My family is picky and doesn’t like mushrooms or green beans. I fried 1 lb hamburger, mixed with 2 cans creamed corn, then poured over 4 cups tater tots. 4 hours later (on low) it was amazing. Serves 3-4 people. I didn’t add any cheeses or milk.
Sarah Olson says
Kim- That is such a great idea, dairy and gluten free!
Amy Brown says
Did you not add any soups either?
Annette Blamer says
Easy to make and it tasted great loved it will make it again