• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

EASY GOOD IDEAS logo

  • about
  • All Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • ×

    February 24, 2022

    Tater Tot Bake with Gravy

    • Share
    • Tweet
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Overhead shot of tater tot bake in casserole dish next to plate and fork with recipe title on top of image
    Photo collage of tater tot bake with gravy and recipe title in the middle of two photos
    Close up overhead shot of tater tot bake with corner piece missing from casserole dish with recipe title on bottom of photo
    Plate full of tater tot bake with gravy and recipe title on top of image

    This hearty Tater Tot Bake has a savory ground beef and gravy filling and is topped with golden crispy tater tots. It’s an easy ground beef recipe when you’re craving a comforting meat and potatoes dinner.

    PIN IT NOW TO SAVE FOR LATER!
    Plate full of tater tot bake with gravy

    If you’re looking for a simple, hearty dinner, this beef and tater tot bake is the answer. For this recipe, we’re raiding the pantry and freezer to assemble a really simple casserole that’s full of savory, satisfying flavors.

    In my opinion, whoever thought to top a casserole with tater tots deserves an award! This type of casserole is also known as a hot dish and is believed to have originated in the Midwest. Using frozen tater tots as a topping is genius – it’s simple to do, and you get a golden crunchy potato topping over a bubbling hot beef filling.

    This tater tot recipe is a baked casserole perfect for a cold night. It’s a great meal to make during the week because there’s not much prep work, and it’s easy to assemble. Except for the beef, all of the ingredients are ones you can keep on hand in the pantry and freezer. Plus, the leftovers are great for lunches the next day.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Tater Tot Casserole
    • Recipe Tips
    • FAQ
    • More Hearty Casserole Dishes
    • Tater Tot Bake with Gravy Recipe

    Ingredients

    • Lean ground beef
    • Onion powder
    • Garlic powder
    • Prepared gravy
    • Beef or chicken stock
    • Frozen peas
    • Frozen tater tots
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    How to Make Tater Tot Casserole

    Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Break it up as it cooks, and then add the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well, so the meat is evenly seasoned, and cook until the beef is cooked through.

    Drain off the excess fat, and then add the gravy and stock. Stir until the gravy is smooth, and then add the peas. Transfer the meat mixture to a 9x9” baking dish and spread it in an even layer.

    Place the frozen tots in a single layer on top of the filling. Bake the tater tot casserole for 20 to 25 minutes at 400°F or until the tots are golden brown and the filling is bubbling hot.

    Overhead shot of tater tot bake in casserole dish next to a fork and plate

    Recipe Tips

    You can use ground beef or swap it for ground turkey, chicken, or ground pork. Just be sure to drain off the excess grease if the meat has a lot of fat.

    I like to use store-bought prepared gravy to make this recipe really easy. It’s also a great way to use leftover gravy from a holiday meal. If the gravy you use is very thick, you may need to add up to a ½ cup of extra stock to thin it.

    For the stock, feel free to use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock. You can also use the same amount of water if you don’t have stock on hand. If you do, you may need to increase the amount of salt and pepper in the recipe.

    You can also use other vegetables. Instead of peas, try frozen chopped green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, or a frozen vegetable medley. Chopped mushrooms would also work well.

    Close up overhead shot of tater tot bake with corner piece missing from casserole dish

    FAQ

    Can you make it ahead?

    Yes, you can assemble the tater tot bake up to a day in advance, cover it with plastic wrap, and keep it in the refrigerator. You might need to add a few extra minutes of baking time when you bake it.

    How long do the leftovers keep?

    Store them in an airtight container, and they will keep for up to three days in the refrigerator.

    How long to bake tater tot casserole?

    Bake it at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes or until it’s bubbling hot and the tots are golden brown.

    What can you serve with this tater tot bake recipe?

    We like it with a tossed salad on the side, or you can add a cooked vegetable like green beans, corn, or broccoli. It’s also great with some sliced bread or garlic bread.

    I highly recommend making this beef and tater tot bake for the next cold day – it will definitely warm you up! It’s hearty, delicious, and easy to make. Enjoy!

    More Hearty Casserole Dishes

    • Chili Tater Tot Casserole
    • Baked Penne and Sausage Casserole
    • Easy Tortilla Casserole
    Making a recipe or using a tip? Share on Instagram and tag us @easygoodideas so we can see your projects!
    Plate full of tater tot bake with gravy

    Tater Tot Bake with Gravy Recipe

    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: casserole, casserole dish, gravy, ground beef, tater tot bake, tater tot dinner, tater tots
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 10 servings
    Calories: 202kcal
    Tater Tot Bake with Gravy is an easy ground beef recipe to make when you’re craving a comforting meat and potatoes style dinner.
    Print Recipe

    Ingredients

    • 1- pound lean ground beef
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 cups prepared gravy
    • ¼ cup beef or chicken stock
    • 1 ½ cups frozen peas
    • 1 ¼ pounds Tater Tots just enough to cover a single layer in a 9x9 baking dish
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400°F.
    • Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper and combine well. Cook, breaking up into small pieces, until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
    • Add gravy and stock and stir until gravy melts into meat, then stir in peas. Remove from heat and place in a 9x9-inch baking dish.
    • Top with an even layer of frozen tater tots. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until tater tots are golden brown and meat mixture is bubbly.
    • Serve hot.

    Notes

    • Can use ground beef or chicken or turkey.
    • This is a great use for leftover gravy.
    • If your gravy is very thick you may need up to ½ cup of stock.
    • You can use beef, chicken, vegetable stock or water.
    • Use any vegetables you enjoy.
    • Keep leftovers in the Fridge for up to 3 days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 502mg | Potassium: 377mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 169IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 2mg
    Close up overhead shot of tater tot bake with corner piece missing from casserole dish with recipe title on bottom of photo

    This Tater Tot Bake with Gravy is a simple, hearty dinner that’s easy enough to make during a busy weeknight. This casserole is full of savory and satisfying flavors!

    man in blue shirt outdoors
    Mel

    Mel is an IT guy turned blogger and is discovering his love of cooking and photography. If you ever have Fantasy Football questions, he's your guy.

    « Sloppy Joe Pasta
    7 Layer Dip »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment and Rate the Recipe Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Looking for something?

    Recent Posts

    • Roast Beef Sliders
    • Breakfast Burritos
    • Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
    • Shrimp Fried Rice
    • Stuffed Anaheim Peppers

    Footer

    Subscribe

    Get a FREE guide to learning to cook!

    Categories

    Archives

    • privacy policy
    • work together
    • about
    • all recipes

    Copyright © 2022 EASY GOOD IDEAS on the Foodie Pro Theme