Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a medium-sized casserole dish to prevent sticking.
Cook the beef mixture: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat with the chopped onion and minced garlic. Stir frequently until the beef is browned and the onion turns translucent, about 6–8 minutes. Drain off any excess fat to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
Mix the filling: Stir the cream of mushroom soup into the cooked beef mixture, followed by the frozen mixed vegetables. Season with salt and pepper to taste. The mixture should be creamy and evenly coated, with the vegetables still firm since they’ll soften during baking.
Assemble the casserole: Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly in the prepared casserole dish, smoothing the top with a spatula. Arrange the tater tots in a single layer across the surface, placing them closely together for full coverage. The tater tots will crisp beautifully as they bake.
Bake the casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the tater tots are crisp and golden. The filling should be bubbling gently around the edges.
Add the cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the hot tater tots. Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and slightly browned.
Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the layers settle and makes it easier to portion out. Serve warm, and enjoy the mix of creamy filling, cheesy topping, and crispy tots in every bite!
Notes and Variations
Make it lighter: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
Change the soup base: Use cream of chicken soup instead of mushroom for a milder, richer flavor.
Add extra flavor: Stir in a dash of Worcestershire sauce or a sprinkle of smoked paprika to the beef mixture for added depth.
Make it ahead: Assemble the casserole up to a day in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake as directed, adding an extra 5–10 minutes to account for the chilled ingredients.
