Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole


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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.

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.

What you need:

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. We use this same bag in our slow cooker breakfast tater tot casserole.
  • 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.
  • Onion: A small diced onion is added for enhanced flavor and heartiness.
  • {The full recipe is in the recipe card below the images}

How to make slow cooker tater tot casserole:

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.

Variations

This recipe is great as-is, but here are some great ideas for making it your own.

  • 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.
  • Canned green beans or frozen can be used instead of fresh. You can add other vegetables instead of green beans such as corn, frozen peas, carrots or mushrooms.
  • Other cheese options are mozzarella or pepperjack cheese.
scoop of tater tot casserole on a spoon.

My Serving Suggestions

Here are my favorite ways to serve this wonderful casserole.

  • This easy tater tot casserole is served perfectly as is. Simply scoop a nice helping into bowl and enjoy.
  • This can be topped with extra cheese, hot sauce, chives, and/or sour cream. We are guilty of topping ours with ketchup! It’s so good.
  • If you want to add more to the meal consider adding a green salad and dinner rolls.
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.

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.

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.

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!

scoop of tater tot casserole on a spoon.

Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

4.77 from 21 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8
This Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole features tater tots and a hearty meat mixture cooked in the crockpot for a comforting and classic meal, finished with a rich, cheesy topping.
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How to Video

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
  • 3 cups fresh green beans (or frozen), (or two 14.5 oz. cans, drained)
  • 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!

Sarah’s 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.
Variations
  • 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.
  • Canned green beans or frozen can be used instead of fresh. You can add other vegetables instead of green beans such as corn, frozen peas, carrots or mushrooms.
  • Other cheese options are mozzarella or pepperjack cheese.
My Serving Suggestions:
  • This easy tater tot casserole is served perfectly as is. Simply scoop a nice helping into bowl and enjoy.
  • This can be topped with extra cheese, hot sauce, chives, and/or sour cream. We are guilty of topping ours with ketchup! It’s so good.
  • If you want to add more to the meal consider adding a green salad and dinner rolls.

Nutrition

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.

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Recipe Rating




122 Comments

  1. Anna M Wilbur says:

    4 stars
    Very good. I substituted to other veggies and even forward recipe to a friend.

  2. Andrea K. Chellberg says:

    Can I make this with more hamburger? I usually like to atleast double a recipe since I have a bigger family and we love leftovers. I’m wondering if using 2.60 lbs of meat will alter the cook time.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      No, the same amount of cook time should do since the meat will be browned already.

  3. Marianne says:

    4 stars
    I added green onions & a can of Del Monte Southwest corn. I can imagine you could substitute O’Brien potatoes or standard hash browns as the tater tots break down anyway. Next time I’ll add green chilies also. Very tasty & super easy!!

  4. Snikerdudl says:

    5 stars
    Love this recipe. I’ve used a mix of soups like cr of mushroom & cr of chicken. Haven’t found a bad mix yet. I add 3 or 4 cans of different types of vegetables. Makes the meal go further and everyone eats their vegetables. Next soup mix to try is cr of bacon & cr of chicken. Cr of chicken & cr of onion are really good together.

  5. Gina says:

    Can I use hash brown patties instead of tater tots? Been making so many of your recipes lately btw….LOVE them all!!!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I think they would work fine since they are very similar to tots!

      1. Gina says:

        Perfect! Thank You!

  6. Shelly in Sunny San Diego says:

    5 stars
    Oh yes yummy tater tot CASSEROLE for the slow cooker! Thank you so much! This recipe will be seen frequently on our meal plan! I switch up the meat between turkey, beef, chicken and pork.

    1. Valerie says:

      Can I use fresh green beans and if so does that change the cook time at all

  7. Hanneke says:

    This looks absolutely delish, what would be the Dutch equivalant of tater tots?

    1. Janett says:

      Maybe use shredded hash browns?

    2. Heidi says:

      Kleine Kartoffelpuffer.

  8. Ari says:

    Can I use corn instead of green beans?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes! Will be great.

  9. STUART MORTON says:

    5 stars
    Very simple to make, but so delicious.

  10. Richard says:

    Can I use condensed cream of mushroom soup

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes, that is the same as I used.