Vegan Gluten Free Tater Tot Casserole

Total time1 hr 20 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time55 min

This hearty, comfort-food casserole builds a rich, savory filling seasoned with garlic, onion, and a hit of smoked paprika, all brought together in a glossy, thickened sauce with a deep umami backbone from tamari. Sweet corn, peas, carrots, and green beans fold right in for pops of color and texture, and the whole thing gets topped with a blanket of crispy, golden tater tots that bake up crunchy on top and tender underneath. It's the kind of dish you pull straight from the oven bubbling at the edges, let rest for a few minutes, then finish with a scatter of fresh chives for a little brightness. Every layer here is built to deliver that classic casserole nostalgia — cozy, satisfying, and perfect for a weeknight dinner or a potluck crowd-pleaser. This one is a genuinely solid pick for a vegan spread, no shortage of flavor or crunch required.

About Fig

Fig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.

Learn more →

Ingredients

6 servings

For the filling

1 ½ lb ground beef (80/20)
Gardein Ultimate Plant Based Frozen Ground Be'f - 13.7 Oz MorningStar Farms Crumbles Plant Based Protein Vegan Meat Grillers - 12 Oz Lightlife Smart Ground Original Plant-Based Crumbles Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Crumbles Ground Be'f RollinGreens Plant-Based Me'Eat Ground Taco
See all
Chef's tip
Pick the form that matches the recipe - a raw, moldable ground for patties, meatballs, or meatloaf; crumbles only for loose browned meat. Cook it in the recipe like the meat, checking doneness against the package guidance.
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (corn, peas, carrots, green beans)

For the sauce

2 tbsp cornstarch
1 ½ cups chicken broth
Chef's tip
Use the same amount of low-sodium vegetable broth. The dish will be a little lighter in flavor than with chicken broth.
½ cup sour cream
1 tbsp tamari
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp smoked paprika
salt and pepper, to taste

For the topping

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Chef's tip
If the dish is baked or melted, cover it or keep the heat gentle - dairy-free shreds melt more slowly than dairy cheese.
1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

For serving

2 tbsp fresh chives, thinly sliced (optional)

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
2
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no pink remains and the internal temperature reads 160°F (71°C), about 7–8 minutes. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon of fat.

Want the full recipe?

Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!