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I never thought I’d be here, writing a recipe for a tater tot casserole. I’ve never been much of a casserole person—something about the whole “dump a bunch of things in a dish and bake it” approach never really spoke to me. But then, I went to Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster in West Des Moines, IA, and had a version of this that was so absurdly good, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. That moment led me down a rabbit hole of testing, tweaking, and eventually creating this all-day project of a recipe: Braised Beef Tater Tot Casserole.
This is not your average tater tot casserole. There are no cans of cream-of-whatever soup, and the meat isn’t just browned and thrown in—it’s lovingly braised until it’s meltingly tender and then folded into a ridiculously rich and savory sauce. We’re talking layers of deep, umami-packed flavor, a luscious texture that clings to the crispy tots just right, and a mix of smoky cheddar and Parmesan to take it over the top. It’s comfort food but done with intention. And yes, it feeds an army, so either invite some friends over or plan for excellent leftovers.
A Brief History of Tater Tot Casserole
Tater tot casserole (or “hotdish” if you’re from the upper Midwest) has been a staple of American comfort food since the 1950s, when Ore-Ida first introduced tater tots to the masses. The classic version, often found at potlucks and family gatherings, usually involves ground beef, condensed soup, frozen vegetables, and a layer of tots baked until golden. It’s efficient, it’s filling, and it’s got a nostalgic appeal for a lot of people. But as with many vintage recipes, there’s always room for a glow-up.
What Makes This Version Special
Instead of ground beef, this casserole starts with beautifully braised chuck roast. The meat is seared until golden, then simmered in a flavorful mix of beer, sherry, beef broth, and aromatics. This slow, gentle cooking method transforms tough cuts into fork-tender bites that practically dissolve in your mouth.
The sauce is another game-changer. After straining the braising liquid, it’s thickened into a rich, velvety gravy with mushrooms, carrots, and just enough dairy to give it body without making it heavy. Smoked cheddar and Parmesan add a deeply savory note, while Worcestershire sauce and dry mustard powder give it that extra punch of flavor. And the tater tots? They’re not just dumped on top straight from the freezer—we’re crisping them up first, so they stay crunchy even after baking.
In Praise of Brown Food
Let’s address the obvious: Yes, this casserole is brown. Deeply, unapologetically brown. And no, it’s not winning any beauty contests. But as Nigella Lawson so eloquently put it in her In Praise of Brown Food manifesto, brown food is the kind of food that loves you back. It’s the color of rich, slow-cooked stews, deeply caramelized meats, and sauces that have been given the time to develop complexity. It may not be flashy, but it delivers where it counts—on flavor, on comfort, and on that deeply satisfying, close-your-eyes-and-sigh kind of eating experience. So while this dish might not rack up the Instagram likes, one bite and you won’t care.
Equipment Needed
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Food scale
- Liquid measuring cups
- Chef’s knife
- Plastic cutting board
- Fine-mesh strainer
- 5.5-quart enamel Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
- 10-inch cast-iron skillet
- 12-inch stainless-steel tongs
- Box grater
- Large sheet pan (if baking the tots)
- Metal mixing bowls
Tips for Making the Best Braised Beef Tater Tot Casserole
1. Don’t Rush the Braise
This recipe takes time, and that’s what makes it great. Braising the beef properly ensures that it’s fall-apart tender and infused with deep, rich flavor. Give it the full 2–2.5 hours in the oven, and you’ll be rewarded.
2. Strain the Braising Liquid
The beef braises with a bunch of aromatics that have done their job by the time it’s done cooking. Straining the liquid ensures that your sauce is silky smooth, without any bits of overcooked onion or spent herbs, and it’s reused to make the sauce to further reinforce and deepen the flavors.
3. Crisp Your Tots Properly
You could bake them according to the package directions, but if you have an air fryer, use it. Even better? Fry them for the crispiest texture. No one wants a soggy tater tot situation, especially after putting in all this effort.
4. Adjust the Sauce Consistency
After mixing the shredded beef into the sauce, it should be thick but not stodgy. If it looks too tight, loosen it up with a little reserved braising liquid. If it’s too thin, let it simmer a bit longer.
5. Cheese Matters
Smoked cheddar adds a fantastic depth to this dish—I absolutely love the Tillamook hickory smoked cheddar—but if you can’t find it, a good sharp cheddar will still do the trick. Parmesan brings in that salty, nutty kick, so don’t skip it.
6. Garnish Like You Mean It
A final sprinkle of Parmesan, chives, and parsley not only makes the dish look more inviting, but it also adds a fresh counterpoint to all the richness.
This is not a quick weeknight meal, but it is the kind of recipe that makes you feel accomplished when you pull it out of the oven. The long braise, the rich sauce, the crispy tots—it all comes together into something greater than the sum of its parts. If you, like me, never thought you’d make a tater tot casserole, I encourage you to give this one a shot. You might just convert yourself.
Happy cooking!
Braised Beef Tater Tot Casserole (Hot Dish)
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
Description
This is not your grandma’s tater tot casserole—unless your grandma was a culinary genius with a penchant for slow-braising beef and layering deep, umami-packed flavors. Here, chuck roast is seared until golden, then simmered in beer, sherry, and aromatics until it’s meltingly tender. The braising liquid is transformed into a rich, velvety sauce with mushrooms, smoked cheddar, and just enough cream to make it luscious without being heavy. And then, of course, we crown it all with crispy, golden tater tots because, well, perfection exists.
A few things to know: This is an all-day project. The long braise is non-negotiable—it’s what makes the beef absurdly tender. Crisp your tots first for the best texture (soggy tots are a tragedy). And yes, this casserole is unapologetically brown, but as Nigella Lawson says, brown food is the food that loves you back. Rich, deeply savory, and wildly comforting, this is the kind of dish you make when you want something that’s worth every second of effort.
Ingredients
BRAISED BEEF:
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2–1/2 pounds chuck, cut into 1–1/2-inch chunks
- Porcini rub from this recipe, optional
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup dry sherry
- One 12-ounce lager or ale, such as Modelo or Shiner Bock
- 5 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 1 large carrot, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 5 sprigs fresh thyme
- 3 bay leaves
- Handful of parsley with stems
- 1–1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1–1/2 cups high-quality beef broth
- 7–8 dried porcini mushrooms
SAUCE:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 large onion, finely diced
- 2 carrots, finely diced
- 16 ounces mixed or cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons dry sherry, divided
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1–1/2 cups reserved strained beef braising liquid
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons crème fraiche or sour cream
- Few dashes of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon Roasted Beef Base, optional
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
- 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 tablespoons dry sherry
- 4 ounces smoked cheddar
- 1 ounce ground Parmesan*, plus more for serving
- Porcini powder, for seasoning, optional
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for serving
- 1 cup peas, optional
FOR SERVING:
- 24 ounces tater tots
- Ground Parmesan, finely minced chives, and finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°.
- Preheat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Pat 2-1/2 pounds chuck pieces dry and season all over with the porcini rub, if using, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Arrange beef in a single layer and sear on 2–3 sides until deeply golden and caramelized, about 5–6 minutes per side. You may have to do this in two batches. Transfer seared beef to a plate and set aside.
- To any fat left in the pan, stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste. Allow the tomato paste to cook, stirring occasionally, until the color darkens to a deep brick red and it starts to stick to the pan a bit, about 3 minutes. Deglaze the pot with 1/2 cup dry sherry and one 12-ounce lager or ale. Cook for 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly and cook off some of the alcohol. Return the beef to the pot, then add 5 smashed garlic cloves, 1 quartered large onion, 1 carrot, cut into 1-inch chunks, 3 sprigs fresh thyme, 3 bay leaves, a handful of parsley with stems, 1-1/2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1-1/2 cups high-quality beef broth, and 7–8 dried porcini mushrooms. Bring to a simmer; once simmering, transfer to the oven and cook until the beef is somewhat tender, about 2 hours. Uncover the pot and continue cooking until the beef is completely tender and shreds easily with a fork. Remove the beef from the pot; strain the liquid into a large mixing bowl, and discard any remaining solids. Set both aside.
- Heat a 10-inch cast-iron skillet (for serving) or another large skillet (if you don’t have a cast-iron or you’re going to bake in another dish) over medium heat. Once hot, add 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, then stir in 1/2 finely diced large onion, 2 finely diced carrots, and a pinch of kosher salt. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6–8 minutes. Add 16 ounces sliced mixed or cremini mushrooms and another pinch of salt, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are softened and starting to brown, about 7–9 minutes more. Stir in 2 finely minced garlic cloves. Deglaze the pan with 1/4 cup dry sherry; cook until the liquid has mostly evaporated.
- Add 3 tablespoons butter; once melted, add 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, stir often, and cook for 3–4 minutes to cook the raw flour flavor out. Stir in 1-1/2 cups reserved strained beef braising liquid, and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Bring to a simmer; once thickened, stir in 3 tablespoons crème fraiche or sour cream, a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon Roasted Beef Base (optional), 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder, 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 3 tablespoons dry sherry. Add 4 ounces smoked cheddar and, 1 ounce ground Parmesan; stir until melted. Season to taste with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and additional porcini powder, if desired. Stir in 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley and 1 cup peas, if using. Reduce the heat to low and keep warm while you prepare the rest of the recipe.
- Heat 24 ounces tater tots according to package directions and your desired cooking method; the best results will come from deep-fried tots, but for ease, you can achieve a great tater tot casserole by crisping them in the oven or an air fryer. Season with kosher salt while still hot.
- In the meantime, shred the reserved beef, removing big chunks of fat if needed. Stir the shredded beef into the sauce, which should be thick but still have some sauciness left. Add a little extra reserved beef braising liquid if your sauce has gotten too thick. Taste and adjust for seasoning again if needed. If you’re baking and serving in the cast-iron skillet, you can arrange the heated tots in concentric circles around the top to completely cover. If you’re baking in another dish, transfer the sauce to the dish, then arrange the tots over top.
- Transfer the dish to the oven and bake until hot and the sauce is bubbling up around the sides, about 15–20 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. To garnish, sprinkle ground Parmesan, finely chopped chives, and finely minced fresh parsley over the top.
Equipment
Better Than Bouillon Roasted Beef Base
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Notes
*To grind Parmesan, cut it into 1″ chunks and process in a food processor or blender until finely ground.
- Category: Beef, Comfort Food, Project Cooking, Restaurant Remakes