Ingredients:

  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (approx. 1 cup / 150g)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (5ml)
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (2.5ml)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (2.5ml)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) vegetable oil or olive oil
  • 1 (10.75 ounce / 305g) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) milk (whole milk or 2% recommended)
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese, divided (reserve half for topping)
  • 2 pounds (900g) frozen tater tots

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper into the cooked ground beef mixture.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup, milk, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well until smooth.
  5. Spread the cooked ground beef mixture evenly in the bottom of the baking dish. Pour the cream of mushroom soup mixture over the ground beef.
  6. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the soup mixture. Arrange the frozen tater tots evenly over the cheese.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the filling is bubbly.
  8. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.