Cooking With Beer, Whiskey and Spirits

Ingredients

• 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup cooked bacon bits (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup green onions or chives, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the Ground Beef:
   • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with diced onion and garlic until browned. Drain any excess fat and season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Make the Creamy Mixture:
   • In a mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and milk. Stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese and the cooked bacon bits, if using.
4. Assemble the Casserole:
   • Spread the cooked ground beef mixture evenly across the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
   • Pour the creamy mixture over the beef layer and spread evenly.
   • Arrange the tater tots in a single layer on top of the casserole.
5. Bake:
   • Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
6. Add the Cheese:
   • Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
   • Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve:
   • Remove from the oven, sprinkle with chopped green onions or chives, and let cool for a few minutes.

This Loaded Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting classic, with layers of creamy, cheesy goodness topped with crispy tater tots. Perfect for a hearty family meal!