Ground Turkey Tater Tot Casserole

Ingredients

🍳 Oil – Use a neutral oil with a moderate to high smoke point (good options include canola, vegetable, or avocado oil).

🦃 Ground turkey – Use lean ground turkey. We like 85/15, which has a little fat for flavor and moisture. A leaner 93/7 will also work, but avoid ground turkey breast—it tends to be too dry for this casserole.

🧅 Vegetables – Onions (yellow or white) and garlic add flavor to the ground turkey filling. For the mixed veggies, we use a frozen blend of carrots, peas, corn, and green beans.

🧂 Seasoning – Salt (we use kosher), black pepper, and dried oregano keep it simple. A splash of Worcestershire sauce adds a savory punch that complements the turkey.

🥫 Pantry – You’ll need condensed cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and cooking spray.

🧀 Cheese – We use medium cheddar because it’s flavorful and melts well, but Monterey Jack or white cheddar also work.

🥔 Frozen tater tots – The crowning ingredient! Use your favorite brand—most freezer sections offer a few options.

📖 See the recipe card for quantities and preparation.

You Will Also Need

• Cooking spray: To lightly grease the casserole dish.
• Casserole dish: A baking dish with approximately 2-quart capacity (about 10 x 8 inches) works well for this recipe.

How to make ground turkey tater tot casserole

Make the filling

1. Heat the oil in a large, deep nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey, salt, pepper, and dried oregano. Stir to combine and spread the meat out in a single layer.
2. Cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking up large pieces with a wooden spoon or spatula, until browned and most of the liquid has cooked out.
3. Lower the heat to medium and add the onions. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently until they start to soften.
4. Add the garlic and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to combine and cook for 1 minute, stirring often.
5. Add the condensed cream of chicken soup and chicken broth. Stir until fully combined.
6. Stir in the mixed vegetables. Lower the heat to medium-low or low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer.

Taste the filling and add salt if needed (as a reference, we added a pinch to ours). Let the mixture cool slightly—stir it occasionally to release steam and help it cool faster.

Build the casserole

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly spray a 10 x 8 inch (2-quart) casserole dish with cooking spray.
2. Spoon half of the turkey mixture into the prepared dish. Sprinkle with ½ cup of shredded cheese.
3. Add the remaining turkey mixture and top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese—spread it evenly, but don’t stir.
4. Arrange the tater tots in a single layer on top. Don’t press them down—just place them gently.
5. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
6. Let the casserole rest for about 15 minutes before serving so it can set up slightly.

Make ahead, storing and reheating instructions

Make ahead:
Prepare the ground turkey filling as directed and let it cool. Once it's no longer steaming, layer the casserole as instructed (filling + cheese), but wait to add the tater tots. Cover the dish tightly with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

Before baking, take the dish out of the fridge about 20 minutes early to take the chill off (especially if you're using a ceramic or glass dish). Then arrange the tater tots on top and bake as directed.

Storing leftovers:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To freeze, let the casserole cool completely, then transfer portions or the whole dish to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. For best results, defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheating:
Reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot.

To reheat a portion in the oven, place it in an oven-safe dish, cover loosely with foil, and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through. Remove the foil during the last few minutes to help crisp up the tater tots.

Food safety note:
Leftovers should be reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F. Do not leave cooked food out for longer than 2 hours (or 1 hour if the temperature is over 90°F). For more information on food storage and safety guidelines, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture and foodsafety.gov.

Substitutions and variations

• Use a different protein – Swap the ground turkey for lean ground beef or ground chicken if that’s what you have on hand.
• Switch up the veggies – Instead of frozen mixed vegetables, try just peas and carrots, corn, or chopped green beans. You can also use canned vegetables, just drain and rinse them well to remove the “canned” taste.
• Add a little heat – Mix in a pinch of crushed red pepper, a dash of hot sauce, or a sprinkle of cayenne for a spicy kick.
• Change the soup – Substitute cream of mushroom soup (or even cream of celery) if you prefer a different flavor.