Buddie's Burger & Tots Casserole

Five ingredients. One baking dish. Zero complaints from the kids.

Browned ground beef goes into the bottom of a 13×9 pan, gets dusted with onion and blanketed in undiluted chicken soup for that creamy, saucy layer. Frozen tater tots line the top in neat rows, crisping up in the oven while the beef bubbles away underneath.

A final shower of shredded cheddar melts into a golden, gooey cap that seals the deal. This is the casserole that built a thousand potluck reputations.

Kitchen Tips

• Drain the ground beef thoroughly after browning. Excess grease makes the casserole greasy and prevents the tots from crisping.
• Line the tater tots in a single layer, close together but not overlapping. You want maximum crispy surface area.
• Use the soup straight from the can, undiluted. That concentrated creaminess is what holds everything together.
• Let it rest for 5 minutes after pulling it from the oven. This keeps the first scoop from being a soupy mess.