For a dish that delivers on big, bold flavors and textures, look no farther than this barbecue beef tater tot casserole. The recipe below starts with a simple combination of ground beef, barbecue sauce and beans. Topped with a layer of crispy tater tots and loads of gooey cheddar cheese, it quickly becomes a comfort food casserole your whole family will love.

The simplicity of this six-ingredient dish means that almost all the flavor comes from your choice of barbecue sauce. You can use whatever brand you like to really make this dish your own. Use a spicier sauce to give the casserole a bit of a kick, or choose a milder one to make the dish a surefire crowd pleaser that even young children will enjoy.

Ingredients
1 tablespoon oil
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 16-ounce bottle barbecue sauce
1 16-ounce can white beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 30-ounce bag tater tots

1. Preheat the oven to 425 F.

2. In a skillet set over high heat, heat the oil. Add the beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until nicely browned on all sides.

3. Add the barbecue sauce and beans to the skillet, and stir well to combine.

4. Arrange the beef mixture in the bottom of a 9-by-13 inch casserole dish. Top with half the cheese, then arrange the tater tots over the top in an even layer. Bake for 25 minutes, until the tater tots are crispy and golden brown.

Sprinkle the casserole with the remaining cheese, and bake 5 more minutes before serving.

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