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If you love the bold, savory flavors of a classic Philly cheesesteak, you’re going to love this Philly Cheesesteak Tater Tot Casserole – all the flavors of the classic sandwich in a family-friendly casserole. Tender ground beef, sautéed peppers and onions, gooey melted cheese, all under a layer of crispy golden brown tater tots.
For another delicious twist to a classic recipe try making Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes 🧅🫑 I make these at least once a month!
Philly Cheesesteak Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
My family loves tater tot casseroles – they are the ultimate family-friendly, kid-approved dinnertime recipe that I always know will be gobbled with zero complaints.
A classic Philly cheesesteak is also one of my kids’ favorite sandwiches to order, so this casserole version of the classic sandwich is always a dinnertime win. All the elements you love; savory, seasoned ground beef, green bell peppers, onions, and of course cheese. The crispy golden brown tater tots on top act as the “bread” in the classic sandwich.
Ingredients Needed
- Olive Oil : I prefer using extra-virgin ‘light tasting’ olive oil.
- Ground Beef : A leaner ground beef will produce less grease; I use 93/7 whenever a recipe calls for ground beef.
- Yellow Onion
- Green Bell Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Beef Broth
- Cornstarch
- Cold Water : This combines with the cornstarch to help thicken the Philly cheesesteak filling.
- Frozen Tater Tots
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
How To Make a Philly Cheesesteak Casserole with Frozen Tater Tots (Printable Recipe Card)
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and ground beef. Cook and crumble the ground beef until it’s no longer pink.
Add the finely diced onion and green bell pepper into the ground beef. Continue cooking, while stirring often, until the ground beef is browned and the vegetables are softened. Drain any excess grease from the skillet if needed.
Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and beef broth, stirring well and scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water. Pour the mixture into the skillet and simmer everything together for 3-5 minutes, stirring often, until the beef mixture thickens and looks glossy and saucy.
Spread the ground beef mixture into the prepared pan in an even layer. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer on top of the beef and then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the tots. If you don’t want the cheese to be golden brown then layer the cheese on top of the ground beef layer and then add the tater tots on top (this is usually how I do it).
Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until the tater tots are browned and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes so it sets slightly, then scoop hot, and enjoy!
How To Store and Reheat Leftover Tater Tot Casserole
- Leftovers : Store leftovers in an airtight container, or cover the casserole dish with a lid or plastic wrap, and store in the refrigerator for ups o 3 days.
- Reheating Instructions : Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or reheat the whole casserole in a 350°F oven until heated through.
- Freeze : To freeze, allow the casserole to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then wrap again in a layer if aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven.
- Make Ahead Instructions : You can also prepare the ground beef mixture up to 2 days ahead of time, layer it inside the casserole dish, and store covered in the fridge. When ready to bake, add the tater tots and shredded cheese layers.
Pro Tips From The Test Kitchen
- For extra crispy tots, bake the casserole for 20 minutes first, and then add the shredded cheese on top. This will not only make the tots crispier but it will also prevent the cheese from getting browned if that’s something you don’t want. Another option is to put the shredded cheese on top of the beef layer and then layer the frozen tater tots on top of the cheese. This way, they are on top and will get super crispy throughout the entire bake time.
- It’s important to let the casserole rest for at least 5-8 minutes after it comes out of the oven; this will help it set, thick slightly, and help it hold together when cutting or scooping for serving.
- Once the diced onion and green bell pepper have been added, I like to let the ground beef cook until there are little browned bits on some of the ground beef. This not only cooks up all the oil in the pan (hardly any need to drain if you do this) but it also gives some texture and extra flavor to the ground beef with the browned bits.
More Tater Tot Casseroles Your Family Will Love
- Taco Tater Tot Casserole
- Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
- Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
- BBQ Beef Tater Tot Casserole
- EASY Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
- Buffalo Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Philly Cheesesteak Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef (I use 93/7)
- 1 yellow onion finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper finely diced
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or shredded muenster or provolone)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and ground beef. Cook and crumble the ground beef until it's no longer pink.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound lean ground beef
- Add the finely diced onion and green bell pepper into the ground beef. Continue cooking, while stirring often, until the ground beef is browned and the vegetables are softened. Drain any excess grease from the skillet if needed.1 yellow onion, 1 green bell pepper
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and beef broth, stirring well and scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.3/4 cup beef broth, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Add the garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cold water and cornstarch. Pour the mixture into the skillet and simmer everything together for 3-5 minutes, stirring often, until the beef mixture thickens and looks glossy and saucy.2 tablespoons cold water, 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Spread the ground beef mixture into the prepared pan in an even layer. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer on top of the beef and then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the tots.*If you don't want the cheese to be golden brown, and prefer the tots crispier and browned, then layer the cheese on top of the ground beef layer and then add the tater tots on top (this is usually how I do it).1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until the tater tots are browned and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes so it sets slightly, then scoop hot, and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra crispy tots, bake the casserole for 20 minutes first, and then add the shredded cheese on top. This will not only make the tots crispier but it will also prevent the cheese from getting browned if that’s something you don’t want. Another option is to put the shredded cheese on top of the beef layer and then layer the frozen tater tots on top of the cheese. This way, they are on top and will get super crispy throughout the entire bake time.
- It’s important to let the casserole rest for at least 5-8 minutes after it comes out of the oven; this will help it set, thick slightly, and help it hold together when cutting or scooping for serving.
- Once the diced onion and green bell pepper have been added, I like to let the ground beef cook until there are little browned bits on some of the ground beef. This not only cooks up all the oil in the pan (hardly any need to drain if you do this) but it also gives some texture and extra flavor to the ground beef with the browned bits.
Nutrition
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