Mexican Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Looking for a fun, flavorful dinner that everyone will love? This Mexican Tater Tot Casserole Recipe is an irresistible combination of crispy tater tots, seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and melty cheese. It’s the perfect comfort food with a Tex-Mex twist! Whether you’re making it for a family meal or a potluck, this casserole is sure to be a hit, and it’s incredibly easy to put together.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Ground Beef

1. Sauté the Onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
2. Cook the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
3. Season the Meat: Stir in the taco seasoning, black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Let the mixture cook for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring everything is well combined.

Step 2: Assemble the Casserole

1. Layer the Beef Mixture: Spread the beef mixture evenly across the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Add Cheese: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture.
3. Top with Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese, covering the entire surface of the casserole.

Step 3: Bake the Casserole

1. Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are crispy and golden brown.
2. Add Final Cheese Layer: In the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese over the top of the tater tots. Allow it to melt before removing the casserole from the oven.

Why You’ll Love This Mexican Tater Tot Casserole

• Quick and Easy: With minimal prep and a short bake time, this casserole is perfect for busy weeknights.
• Crowd-Pleaser: The combination of crispy tater tots, savory beef, and cheese is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
• Customizable: Add extra toppings like jalapeños, sour cream, guacamole, or salsa to make it your own.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare this dish ahead of time and bake it just before serving, making dinner prep even easier.

Serving Suggestions

Toppings to Elevate the Dish:

• Sour Cream: A dollop of sour cream adds creaminess and balances the spice.
• Guacamole: Fresh guacamole pairs perfectly with the Tex-Mex flavors.
• Fresh Salsa: Add a spoonful of salsa for an extra burst of flavor.

Side Dishes:

• Serve this casserole with a simple green salad or Mexican rice for a complete meal.

Tips for Making the Best Mexican Tater Tot Casserole

Use Fresh Tater Tots:

• Always use frozen tater tots straight from the bag. Don’t thaw them beforehand, as they will bake better and maintain their crispiness.

Make It Spicy:

• If you love a bit of heat, add some chopped jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce to the beef mixture.

Cheese Lovers Tip:

• You can switch up the cheese with a blend of Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend for added flavor.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Storing Leftovers:

• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. This casserole reheats beautifully, so don’t worry if you don’t finish it in one meal.

Reheating Instructions:

• Reheat individual servings in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes until warmed through.

Custom Variations for Your Casserole

Make It Vegetarian:

• Swap out the ground beef for a plant-based meat alternative or sautéed vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini for a meat-free version.

Add More Beans:

• If you want to up the protein and fiber, consider adding pinto beans or kidney beans in addition to the black beans.

Extra Veggie Boost:

• You can sneak in some extra veggies like diced bell peppers, zucchini, or even spinach into the beef mixture without compromising flavor.

Conclusion

This Mexican Tater Tot Casserole Recipe is the ultimate weeknight dinner that combines the crispy, cheesy goodness of tater tots with the bold flavors of a classic Mexican-inspired dish. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s simple to make and fun to customize, making it perfect for families, potlucks, or a cozy night in. Whether you top it with sour cream, guacamole, or salsa, one thing is for sure: this casserole will quickly become a household favorite.

FAQs

1. Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
   Yes! You can assemble the casserole up to a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Just bake it when you’re ready to serve.
2. Can I freeze this casserole?
   Absolutely. Freeze the unbaked casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before baking as directed.
3. What can I use instead of tater tots?
   If you don’t have tater tots, you can use hash browns or even diced potatoes.
4. Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
   Yes, ground turkey works just as well and is a leaner option for this dish.
5. How can I make this dish gluten-free?
   Ensure that your taco seasoning and other canned ingredients are gluten-free, and you’re all set!

Yield: 6

Mexican Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Print

Looking for a fun, flavorful dinner that everyone will love? This Mexican Tater Tot Casserole Recipe is an irresistible combination of crispy tater tots, seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and melty cheese. It’s the perfect comfort food with a Tex-Mex twist! Whether you're making it for a family meal or a potluck, this casserole is sure to be a hit, and it’s incredibly easy to put together.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade taco seasoning)
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (such as Rotel)
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) corn kernels, drained
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 can (10 oz) condensed cheddar cheese soup (or nacho cheese sauce)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend cheese)
• 1 package (32 oz) frozen tater tots
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• Optional toppings: diced tomatoes, jalapeños, avocado slices, sour cream

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
2. Cook the Ground Beef:
   In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and diced onion over medium-high heat until the beef is browned and the onions are softened. Drain any excess fat.
3. Add Seasoning and Vegetables:
   Stir in the taco seasoning, diced tomatoes with green chilies, black beans, and corn. Cook for 2-3 minutes to combine and heat through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Prepare the Casserole Base:
   In a separate bowl, mix together the sour cream and condensed cheddar cheese soup until well combined. Stir this mixture into the beef and vegetable mixture until evenly distributed.
5. Assemble the Casserole:
   Pour the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly, then sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the top.
6. Add Tater Tots:
   Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top of the casserole.
7. Bake:
   Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
8. Add More Cheese:
   Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese over the tater tots. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Serve:
   Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with your favorite toppings like diced tomatoes, jalapeños, avocado slices, or extra sour cream.

Notes

Meat Alternatives: You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even a meatless alternative like plant-based crumbles.

Toppings: Feel free to get creative with toppings. Salsa, guacamole, or hot sauce make great additions to this dish.

Spiciness: Adjust the spice level by using mild or hot taco seasoning, and add more chilies or jalapeños if you want more heat.

Make-Ahead: This casserole can be assembled in advance, stored in the fridge, and baked just before serving for a quick weeknight meal.