My taco tater tot casserole is seasoned with taco seasoning to keep things simple and features a hearty ground beef filling with beans, corn, and Rotel. I top it off with tater tots and shredded cheese to make a crispy, melty, and satisfying top layer!
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My Easy Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef
The first time that I made my taco tater tot casserole was on a Taco Tuesday! I didn’t have any taco shells or tortillas on hand, which meant it was time to get creative and try something new. I started prepping all my usual ingredients and grabbed a bag of frozen tater tots out of the freezer so I could make a casserole with a crispy twist.
When my ground beef and tater tot casserole recipe came out of the oven, my son, Connor, said that the house smelled amazing. My daughter, Leah, took one bite and declared that this was a recipe that she would love to eat any day, and not just on Taco Tuesdays! I’ve had this tater tot casserole recipe with ground beef on rotation since then, and it’s been a huge hit.
Looking for more crispy tater tot casserole recipes? Be sure to give my green bean tater tot casserole, chicken tater tot casserole, and my meatless tater tot casserole a try!
Tater Tot Taco Casserole Ingredients
- Frozen tater tots – Provides a golden, crispy topping! I use one whole bag of frozen tater tots to keep things simple.
- Ground beef – 80/20 ground beef is my personal favorite because of how juicy and flavorful it is.
- Onion – Diced yellow onion enhances the flavor and texture of the dish.
- Corn – Adds sweetness and texture. I use canned, but frozen corn works fine too.
- Pinto beans – These beans have a satisfying, creamy texture and make the whole dish extra hearty.
- Rotel – Provides a zesty, spicy kick to the casserole.
- Sour cream – For added tang and creaminess. I use some for the filling and save some for the topping.
- Shredded cheese – A Mexican blend like the one I used works beautifully, but cheddar or Monterey Jack can be used.
- Taco seasoning – Enhances the overall flavor of the casserole. Homemade seasoning can be used, but I typically reach for store-bought to save time.
How to Make Tater Tot Casserole
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. While it warms up, grease a 9×13 baking dish and set it aside.
STEP TWO: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef until it has mostly browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
STEP THREE: Stir in the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef and onions, then cook for 1 to 2 minutes for the flavors to develop. Drain any excess fat, then remove the skillet from the heat.
STEP FOUR: In a large bowl, combine corn, pinto beans, Rotel, sour cream, and 1 cup of the cheese. Stir until combined.
STEP FIVE: Fold in the seasoned beef and onion mixture until all ingredients are fully incorporated
STEP SIX: Spread the mixture evenly into the baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of the remaining cheese over the top, then arrange the tater tots in a single layer, covering the entire surface.
STEP SEVEN: Bake the casserole uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes, until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
STEP EIGHT: During the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the tater tots. Return the dish to the oven until the cheese melts.
STEP NINE: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve it hot with any favorite taco toppings and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Taco Tater Tot Casserole
- I brown the meat thoroughly to help it develop a rich flavor! Letting the meat cook undisturbed for a few minutes is the key to browning it well.
- Be sure to drain any excess fat after cooking the meat to prevent a greasy casserole.
- To ensure even cooking, I spread the ingredients in even layers in the baking dish.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This is my best tip to allow the layers to set and the flavors to meld!
Easy Tater Tot Casserole Variations and Substitutions
- Fresh potatoes or frozen hash browns are easy substitutes any time I don’t have tater tots on hand.
- If Rotel isn’t available, I use diced tomatoes and a 4 oz can of green chilies instead.
- To make the recipe even heartier, I’ll add in more veggies! My family enjoys bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, and even spinach.
- For a spicy twist, I like to top the casserole with jalapenos or use a spicy taco seasoning mixture. I sometimes add a splash of my husband’s favorite hot sauce into the filling too.
- Optional toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and sour cream will add even more flavor and texture to the dish.
What to Serve with Tater Tot Taco Casserole
Homemade sauces like my zesty buffalo sauce or my avocado lime crema will take this tasty casserole to the next level! I also love serving it with a generous helping of sour cream on top, or a little bit of taco sauce to tie the flavors together.
Taco Tater Tot Casserole FAQs
How should I store leftover ground beef and tater tot casserole?
Any leftovers can be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If I’m looking to store this casserole any longer, I wrap it tightly with plastic wrap, then freeze it for up to 3 months.
How do I reheat leftovers?
My favorite way to reheat casserole leftovers is in the oven at 350 degrees F. I bake the dish for 20 to 25 minutes until the topping is crispy again and the center is warmed through. For a quicker fix, I’ll pop a single serving into the microwave and reheat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
More Easy Tater Tot Recipes
Easy Taco Tater Tot Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef 80/20
- ½ onion diced
- 2 15-ounce cans corn drained
- 2 15-ounce cans pinto beans drained and rinsed
- 10 ounce can Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies) not drained
- 8 ounces sour cream
- 3 cups Mexican blend shredded cheese divided
- 2–3 Tablespoons taco seasoning taste and adjust
- 32 ounces tater tots frozen
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish and set it aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef until it has mostly browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
- Stir in the diced onion and cook it until they are softened, about 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef and onions, and cook them all for 1–2 minutes. Drain any excess fat, then remove the skillet from the heat.
- In a large bowl, combine the corn, pinto beans, Rotel, sour cream, and 1 cup of the cheese. Stir them all until they are evenly mixed. Fold in the seasoned beef and onion mixture until everything is well combined.
- Spread the mixture evenly into the baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese over the top, then arrange the tater tots in a single layer, covering the entire surface.
- Bake the casserole uncovered for 40–45 minutes, until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
- During the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the tater tots. Return the dish to the oven until the cheese melts.
Notes
- Brown the meat thoroughly to help it develop a rich flavor! Letting the meat cook undisturbed for a few minutes is the key to browning it well.
- Be sure to drain any excess fat after cooking the meat to prevent a greasy casserole.
- To ensure even cooking, spread the ingredients in even layers in the baking dish.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for 3 months.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes or in the microwave or air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
