Tater Tot Casserole with Cowboy Caviar and Ground Beef
Food photography and recipe creation by Abby Mosler. Find her on Instagram @sweetrindandsalt
Ingredients
1 lb. ground beef
½ tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. onion powder
½ tsp. salt, or to taste
1 tsp. black pepper, divided
1 jalapeno, seeds and core removed, minced (optional)
1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of celery soup (can also use cream of mushroom soup)
¾ cup milk
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 (24 oz) jar Paisley Farm Cowboy Caviar, drained and rinsed
1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Sliced green onions for garnish (optional)
Minced fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
- Lightly grease a 9”x13” casserole dish and set aside. Remove the tater tots from the freezer and let them thaw slightly on the counter while you prepare the filling.
- (NOTE: You can also use an oven-proof skillet for this recipe and omit the casserole dish step for a one-pot meal)
- Place a large skillet on a burner over a medium heat. Add the ground beef and break up into crumbles using a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook for a few minutes until the fat from the meat starts to melt and coat the bottom of the skillet (if it is very lean beef, you can add a splash of oil at this point). Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and minced jalapeno if using. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and cooked through; about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Remove the ground beef mixture from the heat and drain any excess grease. Stir in the soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, and cowboy caviar.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle
- 2 ½ cups of the shredded cheese evenly over the ground beef mixture. Next, place a single layer of the tater tots on top of the cheese, making sure to squeeze them in close together.
- Sprinkle the top with the remaining ½ teaspoon of black pepper and ½ cup of cheese.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly around the edges and the tater tots are golden brown.
- Let sit for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and/or minced fresh parsley, if desired, and serve.