Easy Taco Tater Tot Casserole
My taco tater tot casserole is a satisfying dish that’s perfect for any occasion, from simple weeknight dinners to game days and parties! It’s an easy recipe to prepare in advance and enjoy later. Best of all, it can easily be personalized with different ingredients and takes only 15 minutes to prepare and assemble before popping into the oven.
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 13x9-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
Calories: 519kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 24gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 938mgPotassium: 615mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 528IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 549mgIron: 2mg
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.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!