Taco Tater Tot Casserole
A hearty, crowd-friendly casserole with crispy tater tots, seasoned taco meat, melted cheese, and your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2/3 cup water
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel), drained
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese
- 1 bag frozen tater tots (about 32 oz)
- Sour cream, green onions, jalapeños, salsa, or avocado for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a skillet, cook the ground beef and onion until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in taco seasoning and water. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
- Mix in tomatoes, black beans, and corn.
- Spread the meat mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese over the meat layer.
- Arrange frozen tater tots evenly on top.
- Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes until the tots are crispy and golden.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and bake another 5 minutes until melted.
- Add toppings and serve hot.
Optional Add-Ins
- Crushed tortilla chips between layers
- Pepper jack cheese for extra heat
- Nacho cheese drizzle
- Diced bell peppers
- Pickled jalapeños
Make It Ahead
You can assemble it earlier in the day and refrigerate before baking. Add 5–10 extra minutes to the baking time if cooking straight from the fridge.
For a vegetarian version, replace the meat with extra beans or a plant-based crumble.
