Description
Taco tater tot casserole brings together your favorite comfort foods in one delightful dish that’ll have dinner guests asking for seconds. Hearty ground beef, zesty taco seasoning, and crispy potato tots create a crowd-pleasing meal perfect for family gatherings or casual weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Protein and Vegetables:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion
- 1 medium red pepper
- 1 clove garlic
- 4 ounces green chiles
- 15 ounces black beans
- 10 ounces frozen corn
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 1 ounce taco seasoning
- 10 ounces red enchilada sauce
Dairy and Potato:
- 3 cups Mexican blend cheese
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix 2-3 tablespoons of taco seasoning thoroughly in a small bowl until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks for 6-8 minutes.
- Incorporate 1 medium diced onion and 1 medium diced red pepper into the beef. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Stir in 1 minced garlic clove during the last minute of cooking. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
- Fold in 4 ounces of green chiles, 15 ounces of black beans, and 10 ounces of frozen corn. Mix ingredients completely.
- Sprinkle 1 ounce of taco seasoning over the meat mixture. Stir to ensure even coating of spices.
- Pour 10 ounces of red enchilada sauce across the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
- Transfer the beef mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Arrange 32 ounces of frozen tater tots in a single layer across the top of the meat mixture.
- Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until tater tots turn golden brown and crispy.
- Scatter 1.5 cups of shredded Mexican cheese over the tots during the final 3 minutes of baking.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving with your favorite garnishes.
Notes
- Taco seasoning can be customized to your taste by adjusting spice levels or using a store-bought blend for convenience.
- Drain beef thoroughly to prevent a soggy casserole and ensure crispy tater tots on top.
- For a vegetarian version, swap ground beef with black beans, lentils, or plant-based crumbles to maintain the protein content.
- Prep this dish ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve for an easy weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-43 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 483 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg