Ingredients:

  • 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 oz cremini mushrooms, finely chopped
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 cups low-sodium beef stock
  • 0.5 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 32 oz frozen tater tots
  • 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a large skillet over medium high heat, brown the 1 lb lean ground beef with the diced yellow onion. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat into small crumbles until no pink remains and the onions are translucent.
  2. Add the 8 oz chopped cremini mushrooms to the skillet. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until the mushrooms have released their liquid and are starting to brown. Note: This step is vital to prevent a watery casserole. Add the 3 cloves minced garlic and sauté for just 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Sprinkle the 2 tbsp all purpose flour over the meat and mushroom mixture. Stir constantly for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. You want the flour to coat everything evenly, creating a paste that will eventually thicken your stock.
  4. Slowly pour in the 1.5 cups low sodium beef stock while stirring. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the liquid has thickened into a glossy gravy. Turn off the heat.
  5. Stir in the 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic salt, and 0.5 tsp black pepper. Fold in the 1 cup frozen peas and the 0.5 cup plain Greek yogurt. Note: The residual heat will warm the yogurt without breaking it.
  6. Transfer the beef mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle 0.5 cup of the sharp cheddar cheese directly over the meat filling. This acts as a glue to hold the tots in place.
  7. Place the 32 oz frozen tater tots in neat rows across the top. Cover the filling completely from edge to edge. For the best Easy Tater Tot Casserole, don't just dump them on; a single layer ensures they all get crispy.
  8. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. You want to see the sauce bubbling up around the edges.
  9. Remove the dish and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the tots. Bake for another 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the tots are deeply golden brown.
  10. Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set so it doesn't run all over the plate when you scoop it out.