Easy Broccoli Tater Tot Casserole (with Ground Beef and Cheese)

Getting kids to eat their vegetables at dinner can feel like a nightly negotiation. This Broccoli Tater Tot Casserole layers seasoned ground beef, rice, and steamed broccoli under a blanket of melted Velveeta and crispy golden tater tots. The soup-based sauce keeps every layer moist, and the tater tot topping adds a satisfying crunch that holds up even after reheating. It’s a one-dish dinner that works for a busy weeknight or a potluck, and it reheats well for lunch the next day.

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What Makes Broccoli Tater Tot Casserole Perfect for a Weeknight Dinner for the Family 

Getting your kids to eat broccoli may seem like a tall order, but it’s definitely possible when you serve them this Broccoli Tater Tot Casserole. With so much cheese, crispy tater tots, seasoned ground beef, and rice, even the most reluctant veggie eater will clean their plate and ask for seconds. This casserole disguises healthy broccoli in layers of comfort food goodness that appeals to all ages.

Why You Should Try This Tater Tot Casserole With Broccoli 

The genius of this casserole lies in its layered construction that allows flavors to meld while maintaining distinct textures. The ground beef provides protein and savory depth, while the rice adds substance and absorbs the creamy soup mixture. The frozen broccoli steams perfectly within the casserole, and the Velveeta cheese creates a rich, melty layer that brings everything together. The tater tots on top become golden and crispy, providing the perfect textural contrast.

Tater Tot Casserole With Broccoli Ingredients

To make this family-friendly dinner, you’ll need:

• Ground beef – Provides a hearty protein base and a savory foundation for the casserole
• White rice, cooked – Adds substance and absorbs the creamy soup flavors perfectly
• Cheddar cheese soup, canned – Creates a rich, cheesy base sauce for binding ingredients
• Broccoli cheese soup, canned – Adds extra cheese flavor and complements the vegetables
• Frozen broccoli – Provides essential nutrients while steaming to perfect tenderness
• Velveeta cheese slices – Melts smoothly for a creamy, rich cheese layer throughout
• Tater tots, frozen – Creates the signature crispy, golden top layer

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

• You can use sharp cheddar cheese slices as a substitute for Velveeta.
• You can use cream of broccoli soup instead of broccoli cheese soup, but the dish will have less cheese flavor.
• If you want to use fresh broccoli, cut the head into bite-sized pieces.
• You can also substitute cauliflower florets for broccoli.
• If you enjoy garlic, add ½ teaspoon of garlic powder or garlic salt.
• Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the tater tots before baking for an extra cheesy touch.
• If you leave out the ground beef, it makes a great side dish rather than a main dish.

How to Make Tater Tot and Broccoli Casserole

To make this family favorite:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 
2. While the oven preheats, chop any large broccoli florets in half and set them aside for later. 
3. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef.
4. Drain the ground beef thoroughly and add it to the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish. There’s no need to grease or coat the dish with cooking spray.

5. Spread a layer of the cooked rice on top of the ground beef.
6. In a separate bowl, stir together the two cans of soup, then pour the mixture over the rice. Gently shake the casserole dish and wait one to two minutes for some of the soup to seep into the lower layers. 
7. Arrange the frozen broccoli on top of the soup, then cover it with thin slices of Velveeta. 

8. Top the casserole with the frozen tater tots.

9. Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven until the tater tots are golden brown and the cheese is bubbling. 
10. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.

What to Serve With Broccoli Tater Tot Casserole

Casseroles are great because you can easily pass them off as a one-dish meal. However, adding a side or two is never a bad idea. Three sides that pair well with a tater tot casserole with rice are:

• Garlic bread is a simple side that adds a lot of flavor. 
• Roasted vegetables will help to round out the casserole. Oven-roasted carrots, brussels sprouts, or zucchini are all good options. 
• A hearty salad, such as the Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad served at Cracker Barrel, is perfect. 

Storage & reheating instructions

• Refrigerator Storage: Let casserole cool to room temperature, then cover with aluminum foil and store in refrigerator for up to 3 days
• Reheating Method: Preheat oven to 350°F, cover casserole with foil, and bake for 20-30 minutes until heated through
• Freezing: Cut into serving pieces, wrap each in aluminum foil, and store in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating

More Tater Tot Recipes

• Buffalo Chicken Tots
• Chili Cheese Tots
• Loaded Baked Potato Tots
• Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
• Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole

Favorite Casserole Recipes

• Chicken Noodle Casserole
• Chicken Poppyseed Casserole
• Easy Taco Casserole
• King Ranch Casserole
• Reuben Casserole
• Sausage Casserole
• Shrimp Casserole
• Tamale Casserole

Check out more of my easy casserole recipes and the best ground beef recipes on CopyKat!