Quick Christmas Tater Tot

Featured in: Seasonal Family Favorites

This festive dish blends crispy tater tots with browned ground beef, sautéed vegetables, and creamy mushroom sauce. Baked to golden perfection with melted cheddar cheese, it offers a joyful balance of textures and flavors. Simple seasonings like garlic powder and thyme enhance the savory profile, while a sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a hint of brightness. Ready in under an hour, it’s an easy, satisfying main ideal for holiday gatherings or any quick, hearty meal.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:35:00 GMT
Golden, crispy tater tots crown a bubbling Quick Christmas Tater Tot Casserole with melted cheese. Pin It
Golden, crispy tater tots crown a bubbling Quick Christmas Tater Tot Casserole with melted cheese. | juniperbite.com

A festive and comforting casserole featuring crispy tater tots, savory ground beef, and creamy vegetables perfect for a quick holiday meal.

I enjoy making this casserole because it comes together quickly and always pleases the family with its crispy topping and hearty filling.

Ingredients

  • Ground beef: 1 lb (450 g)
  • Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
  • Frozen peas and carrots: 1 cup (120 g)
  • Frozen corn: 1/2 cup (60 g)
  • Condensed cream of mushroom soup: 1 can (10.5 oz/298 g)
  • Whole milk: 1/2 cup (120 ml)
  • Shredded cheddar cheese: 1 1/2 cups (170 g)
  • Frozen tater tots: 1 (32 oz/900 g) bag
  • Garlic powder: 1/2 tsp
  • Dried thyme: 1/2 tsp
  • Salt: 1/2 tsp
  • Black pepper: 1/4 tsp
  • Chopped fresh parsley (optional): 2 tbsp

Instructions

Preheat oven:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish.
Cook beef and onion:
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
Cook vegetables:
Stir in the peas, carrots, and corn. Cook for 2 minutes until warmed through.
Add soup and seasonings:
Add the cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well and simmer for 2 minutes.
Prepare casserole base:
Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup (115 g) of the cheddar cheese over the top.
Add tater tots:
Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
Bake:
Bake for 30 minutes, until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
Add remaining cheese:
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup (55 g) of cheddar cheese over the tater tots and bake for another 5 minutes, until cheese is melted.
Garnish and serve:
Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired. Serve hot.
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My family loves gathering around this casserole during the holidays. It brings warmth and comfort to our table every year.

Notes

For a festive touch, use red bell peppers and green peas for extra Christmas color. Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. Add a pinch of smoked paprika for extra flavor. Serve with a side salad for a complete meal.

Required Tools

Large skillet, 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish, mixing spoon, measuring cups and spoons, oven.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories 485, Total Fat 28 g, Carbohydrates 36 g, Protein 22 g.

Warm and savory Quick Christmas Tater Tot Casserole has a creamy ground beef and veggie filling. Pin It
Warm and savory Quick Christmas Tater Tot Casserole has a creamy ground beef and veggie filling. | juniperbite.com

This casserole is a perfect holiday quick fix that your family will request year after year.

Quick Christmas Tater Tot

Crispy tater tots layered with savory beef, veggies, and cheese for a cozy holiday dish.

Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
35 minutes
Total Duration
50 minutes
Juniper Bite Chloe Fischer


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Serves 6 Number of Servings

Dietary Info None specified

What You’ll Need

Meats

01 1 lb ground beef

Vegetables

01 1 medium onion, finely chopped
02 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
03 1/2 cup frozen corn

Sauces & Dairy

01 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
02 1/2 cup whole milk
03 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Topping

01 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots

Seasonings

01 1/2 tsp garlic powder
02 1/2 tsp dried thyme
03 1/2 tsp salt
04 1/4 tsp black pepper

Garnish

01 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Step 01

Prepare oven and dish: Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 02

Cook beef and onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and chopped onion until beef is browned and onion is softened, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat.

Step 03

Add vegetables: Stir in frozen peas, carrots, and corn, cooking for 2 minutes until heated through.

Step 04

Mix in soup and seasonings: Add condensed cream of mushroom soup, whole milk, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and simmer for 2 minutes.

Step 05

Layer mixture and cheese: Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.

Step 06

Add tater tots: Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.

Step 07

First bake: Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, until tater tots are golden and crispy.

Step 08

Add remaining cheese: Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots and bake an additional 5 minutes until cheese melts.

Step 09

Garnish and serve: Optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.

Kitchen Gear Needed

  • Large skillet
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Mixing spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Oven

Allergen Details

Always check what goes in for allergens, and talk to your doctor if you’re unsure.
  • Contains milk and wheat; may contain soy depending on brand of soup and tater tots.

Nutrition Information (each serving)

This info’s just a guide, not medical advice.
  • Calories: 485
  • Fats: 28 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Proteins: 22 g