Delicious Angel Beef Casserole: Comfort Food at Its Best

Angel Beef Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish that combines savory beef, creamy sauce, and crispy tater tots into a deliciously satisfying meal. This casserole is a family favorite, offering a blend of flavors and textures that are sure to please everyone at the dinner table. With a combination of lean ground beef, cream cheese, beef broth, and a layer of golden, crispy tater tots on top, this dish is an irresistible mix of creamy, cheesy, and meaty goodness.

Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, this casserole requires minimal prep and cook time while still delivering a satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal. Whether you serve it for dinner, a potluck, or as a comforting treat during the colder months, Angel Beef Casserole is sure to become a go-to recipe in your household.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Comforting and Hearty

Angel Beef Casserole is the ultimate comfort food. With a rich and creamy sauce, seasoned ground beef, and crispy tater tots, it’s a meal that fills you up and warms you from the inside out.

2. Simple Ingredients

This casserole requires only a few ingredients, many of which you likely already have in your kitchen, making it both easy to prepare and affordable.

3. One-Pan Meal

This recipe is a one-pan wonder! Everything cooks together in a single casserole dish, making cleanup a breeze.

4. Perfect for Feeding a Crowd

With generous portions and satisfying flavors, this casserole is perfect for feeding a crowd, making it ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or parties.

5. Kid-Friendly

The combination of beef, cheese, and crispy tater tots makes this casserole a hit with kids. It’s the kind of meal that even picky eaters will love.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs lean ground beef
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 packet (1 oz) Italian dressing mix
• 7 cups frozen tater tots

Variations

1. Add Vegetables

Add frozen peas, carrots, or green beans to the casserole to give it extra nutrients and flavor. Just stir the veggies into the beef mixture before layering the tater tots on top.

2. Spicy Angel Beef Casserole

For a little heat, add some crushed red pepper flakes or a small diced jalapeño to the beef mixture. You can also top the casserole with some hot sauce for an extra kick.

3. Cheesy Version

For extra cheesy goodness, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese or mozzarella on top of the casserole before baking, or mix some into the beef and cream cheese mixture.

4. Use Ground Turkey or Chicken

If you’re looking to lighten up the dish, swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. It still maintains a great flavor while reducing the fat content.

5. Swap the Tater Tots

Instead of tater tots, try using hash browns or even potato wedges for a different texture and flavor.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Mixture

Add the softened cream cheese, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, melted butter, and Italian dressing mix to the cooked ground beef. Stir everything together until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

Spread the beef and cream cheese mixture evenly in the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. Then, arrange the frozen tater tots on top in a single layer, covering the entire casserole.

Step 5: Bake the Casserole

Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.

Step 6: Serve

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes to cool slightly before serving. Scoop out generous portions and enjoy!

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Soften the Cream Cheese: Make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing it into the beef mixture. This will make it easier to combine and create a smooth sauce.
• Don’t Overcook the Beef: Cook the beef just until browned. Overcooking it can make it dry, so keep an eye on it while cooking.
• Layer the Tater Tots Evenly: Arrange the tater tots in a single, even layer to ensure they cook evenly and become nice and crispy on top.
• Add Seasoning: If you like more seasoning, feel free to adjust the Italian dressing mix or add extra garlic powder, onion powder, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.

How to Serve

• With a Side Salad: Pair this hearty casserole with a fresh green salad to balance out the richness of the dish.
• With Garlic Bread: Serve with a side of warm, crispy garlic bread to make the meal even more satisfying.
• For a Party: This casserole is perfect for a crowd. Serve it as part of a buffet or alongside other party-friendly dishes like baked ziti, macaroni and cheese, or a vegetable casserole.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place it in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

Freezing

This casserole can be frozen before or after baking. To freeze before baking, assemble the casserole, cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to cook, bake it from frozen at 375°F for 50-60 minutes. To freeze after baking, allow the casserole to cool completely, then cover and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave when ready to serve.

Reheating

To reheat, cover the casserole with foil and bake in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of soup?

Yes, you can use cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, or any other cream-based soup that you prefer.

2. Can I make this dish without beef?

Absolutely! You can use ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives to suit your dietary preferences.

3. Can I add vegetables to the casserole?

Yes, frozen vegetables like peas, carrots, or corn would work great in this dish. Just stir them into the beef mixture before adding the tater tots on top.

4. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole a day in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if you’re baking it from the fridge.

5. Can I use homemade tater tots instead of frozen?

Sure! You can use homemade tater tots or any other frozen potato product, like hash browns or potato wedges.

6. Can I freeze this casserole?

Yes, this casserole freezes very well. Assemble it, cover it tightly with foil and plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months.

7. What can I use instead of Italian dressing mix?

If you don’t have Italian dressing mix, you can create your own seasoning blend using dried herbs like basil, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder.

8. How can I make this recipe spicier?

Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the beef mixture to give the casserole a spicy kick.

9. Can I make this casserole in a smaller pan?

Yes, you can adjust the recipe for a smaller pan, just be sure to reduce the ingredients accordingly.

10. Can I add cheese to the casserole?

Yes, sprinkle shredded cheese such as cheddar or mozzarella over the top before baking for a cheesy, gooey topping.

Conclusion

Delicious Angel Beef Casserole is the perfect comfort food that’s hearty, creamy, and full of flavor. With minimal ingredients and easy preparation, it’s a go-to recipe for busy nights, potlucks, or family gatherings. The crispy tater tots on top bring a satisfying crunch that perfectly complements the savory beef and creamy sauce beneath. This dish is sure to become a favorite in your household.

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