Cheesy Potato Crisp Bake

Name: Cheesy Potato Crisp Bake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 small onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1/4 cup milk; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 bag (32 oz) frozen potato puffs (tater tots)

🕒 Prep: 15 min

🔥 Cook: 45 min

🍽 Serves: 6

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Cheesy Potato Crisp Bake is your ultimate comfort food. It's a simple yet hearty dish that brings together the savory flavors of ground beef, cheddar cheese, and crispy potato puffs. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or a casual gathering with friends.

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Ingredients for Cheesy Potato Crisp Bake

Ground beef adds a hearty, savory base to the dish, while the onion and garlic provide aromatic depth. The shredded cheddar cheese melts beautifully on top, creating a golden crust. Cream of mushroom soup and sour cream make the casserole creamy and rich, with a touch of milk to smooth it out. Black pepper and salt enhance the flavors without overpowering them. Finally, the frozen potato puffs give the dish its irresistible crispy texture.

Tips & Tricks

For extra flavor, add a dash of Worcestershire sauce to the beef mixture.
If you like a spicier kick, toss in some red pepper flakes when cooking the beef.
Ensure your potato puffs are evenly spread to avoid uneven cooking.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables, balancing out the richness. A crusty loaf of bread is also a great accompaniment to soak up any delicious sauce left on the plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen potato puffs?: Yes, you can substitute with thinly sliced fresh potatoes, but keep in mind they may require a longer baking time to become tender and crispy.
How do I store leftovers?: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to help retain the crispiness of the potato puffs.

Cheesy Potato Crisp Bake Recipe Walkthrough

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it's nice and hot when you pop the dish in. Meanwhile, grab a large skillet and set it over medium heat. Toss in the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is browned, stirring occasionally. Once it's nicely cooked through, drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.

Next, in a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is smoothly blended. Add the cooked beef mixture to this bowl and mix until it's all well incorporated. This will be the base layer of your bake.

Spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Then, layer those lovely frozen potato puffs right on top. Don't worry about arranging them perfectly — just cover the beef as evenly as you can. Finally, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the potato puffs. Now it's ready for the oven!

Bake the dish for about 45 minutes. You'll know it's done when the cheese is bubbly and the potato puffs are golden brown. Let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving to allow everything to set a bit.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Quick to prepare and bake — perfect for weeknights.
A crowd-pleaser that kids and adults alike will enjoy.
Combines classic, comforting flavors in one dish.
Minimal ingredients with maximum flavor impact.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup milk

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp salt

1 bag (32 oz) frozen potato puffs (tater tots)

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with diced onion and minced garlic until the beef is browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat.

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.

4. Add the cooked beef mixture to the bowl and mix until well incorporated.

5. In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread the beef mixture evenly over the bottom.

6. Layer the frozen potato puffs on top of the beef mixture.

7. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the potato puffs.

8. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and the potatoes are golden brown.

9. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

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