Our Kid-Friendly Tater Tot Casserole (without cream of mushroom soup) is a healthier tater tot casserole that cuts calories but not flavor. Packed with green beans, lean ground beef, tater tots, and cheese, this is a hearty comfort food your kids will love! Gluten-free.
This hotdish is typically made in a 9×13 pan layered then baked. Our version cuts calories and time, but the flavor remains untouched – all while requiring just a handful of ingredients that you likely have on hand.
If there is one dish that reminds me of childhood, it is tater tot casserole. Here in the Midwest, this is a classic. It’s a recipe not only my husband loves, but BOTH of my kids do as well. And that’s saying something.
Looking for other casseroles for kids? Make sure to try Chicken Bacon Ranch Tatertot Casserole, Crockpot Lasagna Casserole, Turkey Rice Casserole, Vegetarian Baked Spaghetti and Chili Mac Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 can French-style green beans, drained
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 32 oz. bag tater tots
- green onions – optional
How To Make
To make this simple dinner meal, start by sautéing an onion in an oven-safe skillet, such as a cast-iron pan. Add lean ground beef.
Once the meat is cooked you simply stir in Greek yogurt and spices.
Layer green beans, cheese, and tater tots on top. This tater tot casserole without soup will be ready in under 40 minutes.
Preheat oven. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions, sautéing until translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
Add ground beef, cook until browned. Drain beef, then return to skillet. To beef, add Greek yogurt, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
You will want to bake your casserole at 400°F.
Pour beef mixture into a casserole pan.
Add the Green Beans
Layer drained green beans on top of beef mixture.
If your kids don’t like green beans you can use corn, mixed veggies, or another favorite.
Top green beans with frozen tater tots, then sprinkle with cheese.
How Long Do You Cook?
Bake for 30 minutes or until tater tots are golden brown. When the hot dish comes out of the oven, take care to use hot mitts and not grab the 400° baking dish.
Top with chopped green onions, jalapenos, tomatoes, and cilantro if desired.
Now you have a hot, nutritious, and delicious dinner that your family will be requesting time and again!
This comfort food comes together quickly using frozen tater tots, which are super convenient.
Potatoes are a culinary canvas of unlimited possibilities. This kid-friendly food works like a charm in children’s acceptance of other veggies when served together.
FAQ
This version of tater tot casserole has 367 calories per serving. To reduce this further you can swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken and cut back on the amount of cheese used.
Our version uses plain Greek yogurt rather than sour cream and canned soup. We use spices for seasoning and less cheese than other recipes. Kid’s won’t notice a difference, and neither will adults!
Tater tot casserole really is a meal on its own – with potatoes, protein, and more vegetables. But if you’re looking for sides we think a fresh salad or steamed vegetables served alongside pair nicely. We have more ideas below.
Side Dish Ideas
- Cheesy Mashed Potato Bites
- Vegetable and Potato Nuggets
- Broccoli Tots
- Sweet Potato Tots
- Hash Brown Egg Cups
You might also like my newest recipes, Turkey Burgers in the Oven and Shredded Chicken Skillet Nachos!
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Healthy Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey ✅
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder ✅
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 can French style green beans, drained
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese ✅
- 1 32 oz. bag tater tots ✅
- green onions – optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- ⭐️Brown the beef. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions, sauteeing until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add ground beef, cook, until browned. Drain beef, then return to skillet.1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey, 1 medium onion, diced, 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ⭐️Add ingredients. To beef, add greek yogurt, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well. Pour beef mixture into a casserole pan.1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Assemble the casserole. Layer drained green beans on top of beef mixture. Top green beans with tater tots, then sprinkle with cheese.1 can French style green beans, drained, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 32 oz. bag tater tots
- ⭐️Bake. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes or until tater tots are golden brown. Top with chopped green onions, jalapenos, tomatoes, and cilantro if desired.green onions – optional
Notes
Nutrition
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Jenny says
We love this recipe, it has become a staple in our dinner rotation! Yum!
Arica says
If I make this and transfer the hamburger mixture to another baking dish before baking would you suggest a 9 x 13 pan or something smaller?
Jodi Danen, RDN says
Hi Arica! I have used a 9×13 pan in the past and it works great. I’d love to hear how you like it!