Name: Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole with Veggies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 yellow onion, chopped; 3-4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; ½ teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon pepper; ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 32-ounce bag frozen Tater Tots® (DO NOT THAW); Fresh parsley for garnish (optional); ¼ cup flour; 1¼ cups low sodium chicken broth, divided; 1 cup milk; 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce; 2 tablespoons ketchup; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 2 teaspoons beef bouillon (granulated, base or crushed cubes); 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard; 8 ounces (2 packed cups) freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided; ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt; 1 15-ounce can green beans, drained; 1 cup sweet corn (canned and drained or frozen, not thawed); 1 cup petite frozen peas, not thawed

There’s something so comforting about that crispy, cheesy, and veggie-packed goodness all baked into one dish — that’s exactly why I’m excited to share this Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole with Veggies Recipe. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug, and it’s incredibly satisfying for any dinner night.

A white rectangular baking dish filled with a layered casserole, the top layer consisting of crispy golden-brown tater tots evenly spread across the surface, melted bright orange cheddar cheese draped over the tater tots, and finely chopped green herbs sprinkled on top as garnish. Underneath, visible layers show a thick, rich brown ground meat and vegetable mixture, including yellow corn. One corner of the casserole is scooped out with a large silver spatula held by a woman's hand, revealing the layers clearly. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with some scattered herbs around it and a beige cloth with blue stripes nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole with Veggies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole with Veggies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole with Veggies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole with Veggies Recipe more times than I can count because it’s one of those magical dishes that blends cozy comfort food with sneaky veggie goodness, making it both kid- and adult-approved at my house.

Ultimate Comfort Food: The crispy tater tots on top with creamy, cheesy filling below create a perfect texture contrast that melts in your mouth.
Loaded with Veggies: Unlike your typical tater tot casserole, this includes green beans, corn, and peas, so it’s a bit lighter and more balanced.
Easy to Customize: Whether you want to add more spice or switch up the veggies, it’s super flexible for every taste.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep it in advance, making it perfect for busy nights or casual get-togethers.

The dish is a layered casserole in a white baking dish on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a mix of cooked ground meat with visible yellow corn kernels and green peas, creating a chunky textured base. Above it is a layer of rice mixed with the meat and vegetables. The top layer consists of golden brown tater tots arranged closely together, covered with melted bright orange cheddar cheese that is shiny and slightly bubbly. There are small green parsley pieces sprinkled on top, adding color contrast. A metal serving spoon is scooping one portion from the dish, showing the layers clearly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole with Veggies Recipe work together to create layers of flavor and texture. The meat and spices give a savory base, the cream sauce binds everything with richness, and the veggies add freshness and color. Choosing quality sharp cheddar really takes it up a notch!

Flat lay of a mound of fresh lean ground beef, a small pool of golden olive oil in a white ceramic bowl, a yellow onion whole and uncut, three uncracked garlic cloves, small white bowls with chili powder, dried parsley, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika powders, a loose pile of frozen golden tater tots, fresh sprigs of parsley, a white ceramic bowl with pale flour, a white bowl containing light golden chicken broth, another white bowl with fresh whole milk, a small white bowl with dark amber soy sauce, a small white bowl with vibrant red ketchup, a white bowl with dark Worcestershire sauce, a little white bowl with coarse beef bouillon granules, a white bowl with bright yellow Dijon mustard, a neat heap of freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, a white bowl holding smooth white sour cream, a small cluster of fresh green beans, a small mound of bright yellow corn kernels, a small pile of petite frozen green peas, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Lean ground beef: Provides hearty flavor without being too greasy – make sure to drain the excess fat well.
Olive oil: For sautéing onions gently and adding a touch of richness.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth as it cooks.
Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic amps up that savory, aromatic profile.
Chili powder, dried parsley, thyme, smoked paprika, salt & pepper: The blend of spices gives complex warmth without overwhelming.
Frozen Tater Tots: The star of the dish – don’t thaw to maintain crispiness during baking.
Flour: Helps thicken the cream sauce to just the right consistency.
Chicken broth: Adds a subtle savory base to the sauce and keeps moisture balanced.
Milk: For creaminess in the sauce.
Soy sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce: These umami boosters create depth and balance acidity.
Beef bouillon: Punches up the beefy flavor subtly.
Dijon mustard: Adds a subtle tang that cuts through the richness.
Sharp cheddar cheese: Freshly shredded melts beautifully and provides that classic cheesy gooeyness.
Sour cream or Greek yogurt: For tangy creaminess that rounds out the sauce.
Green beans, corn, petite peas: These veggies bring color, texture, and mild sweetness to the dish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole with Veggies Recipe depending on what’s in my fridge. You can easily swap veggies, add spices, or even use a different protein – the base is so forgiving and tasty.

Variation: Sometimes I swap the ground beef for ground turkey or shredded rotisserie chicken for a lighter twist, and honestly, it never disappoints.
Veggie substitution: Feel free to mix in chopped bell peppers or mushrooms if you want more color and texture variety.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne or a splash of hot sauce to the cream sauce if you like it with a little heat.
Make it vegetarian: Use plant-based ground meat or simply double the veggies and cheese for a veggie-forward version.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole with Veggies Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the aroma base

Start by heating olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the chopped onions and cook them until they’re just translucent and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Then add the ground beef and cook until nicely browned, breaking it up with your spatula to avoid clumps. Drain any excess grease to keep the casserole from getting greasy. Finally, stir in the garlic and spices, sautéing for an additional minute to bloom those flavors — this step sets the savory foundation.

Step 2: Create that luscious cream sauce

Sprinkle flour over the beef mixture and stir it in, cooking for about a minute to remove that raw flour taste. Reduce the heat to low, then slowly whisk in one cup of chicken broth, followed by the milk, making sure the sauce stays smooth. Add in the soy sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, beef bouillon, and Dijon mustard — this is your umami-packed, creamy magic. Let it simmer gently, whisking often, until thickened around 7 minutes. The sauce should be thick enough so your tater tots won’t just sink right in and get lost underneath.

Step 3: Stir in cheese and veggies

Remove the pot from heat and immediately whisk in half a cup of shredded sharp cheddar until silky smooth. Then fold in your sour cream or Greek yogurt — this adds a lovely tang and richness. Next, stir in the drained green beans, corn, and frozen peas. If it feels too thick to mix comfortably but you don’t want it watery, add up to a quarter cup more chicken broth. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

Step 4: Assemble the casserole

Pour your creamy beef and veggie filling into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining half cup of shredded cheddar on top—this layer adds that irresistible golden edge. Now comes the fun part: arrange an even layer of frozen tater tots on top. I use about half the bag here to get perfect coverage without overcrowding.

Step 5: Bake, crisp, then cheese again

Pop the casserole into a preheated 350°F oven for 45-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the tots are beautifully golden and crispy, and you see bubbling sauce at the edges. If you want extra crispness, switch your oven to broil for just a few minutes—keep a close eye so it doesn’t burn. Finally, sprinkle the last bit of cheese over the top and bake another 5 minutes until melted and gooey. Let it cool for about 10 minutes before digging in—it helps everything set perfectly and keeps those beautiful layers intact.

Top Tip

After making this casserole numerous times, I’ve learned a few little secrets that make a huge difference between good and unforgettable.

Don’t thaw your tater tots: I used to think pre-thawing was fine, but keeping them frozen until baking guarantees they stay crispy and golden.
Simmer your sauce patiently: Rushing thickening can result in lumps or a watery casserole; whisk often and trust the process for a velvety sauce.
Drain veggies well: Too much moisture from canned or thawed frozen veggies made my casserole soggy before—I always drain or pat them dry.
Rest before serving: Giving it 10 minutes to cool allows the sauce to set and makes serving so much cleaner and easier.

How to Serve Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole with Veggies Recipe

cheesy tater tot casserole - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle fresh chopped parsley right on top — it adds a pop of color and freshness that brightens the rich flavors. Sometimes I add a light dusting of smoked paprika for a subtle smoky kick and a beautiful contrast.

Side Dishes

This casserole is pretty filling on its own, but I love pairing it with a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or a simple coleslaw to cut through the richness. Steamed broccoli or a light cucumber salad also complement it well.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or dinner parties, I’ve served it in individual ramekins topped with mini tater tots arranged like a lattice for a fancy look. It’s a fun way to keep portions neat and impress guests without extra effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep nicely in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I always recommend scooping out portions rather than reheating the whole casserole repeatedly to avoid overcooking the tots.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this casserole after assembling (but before adding the tater tots on top), tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and foil. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and then add fresh frozen tots before cooking, adding 10-15 minutes to the bake time.

Reheating

The best way to reheat is in the oven at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes to restore crispiness. Microwaving works in a pinch but can soften the tots.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen or canned?

Yes! Fresh green beans, corn, and peas work wonderfully. Just blanch them briefly before adding to the casserole to keep their color and texture intact.

What can I substitute for ground beef?

You can use ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives. Just brown them the same way and adjust cooking times as needed. For vegetarians, doubling the veggies and adding more cheese works great.

Why shouldn’t I thaw the tater tots before baking?

Thawing tater tots can make them soggy and less likely to crisp up nicely during baking. Keeping them frozen until they go right on top of the casserole helps achieve that golden crunch you’re aiming for.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the entire casserole, except for the tater tots, up to 48 hours in advance and refrigerate. When ready, add the frozen tater tots just before baking, and add a little more bake time if needed.

Final Thoughts

For me, this Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole with Veggies Recipe is the go-to for feel-good dinners that don’t require fuss but deliver big on flavor and texture. I love sharing it with friends because it’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser, and the veggie-packed twist makes me feel good about indulging. I can’t wait for you to try it out and make it your own—let me know how you like to customize it!