Taco Tater Tot Casserole takes a classic family favorite and gives it a spicy twist!
This post is sponsored by Ohio Beef. As always, all opinions are my own.
My love of tater tot casserole runs deep. Years ago I shared my favorite Green Bean Tater Tot Casserole recipe, and it remains a regular in our rotation. The simple combination of creamy ground beef, cheese, and tater tots is budget friendly and loved by our whole family.
When I need my tater tot casserole fix but am craving something a little different, we turn to this Mexican-inspired Taco Tater Tot Casserole. If a taco and a tater tot had a baby, this casserole would be the result. With spicy taco beef, tomatoes, corn, cheese, and of course, a layer of crispy browned tater tots on top, this casserole is always a hit!
How to Make Taco Tater Tot Casserole
This easy casserole recipe is made with pantry staples and can be in the oven in less than 20 minutes. Here are the simple steps:
- Start by browning the ground beef and onions.
- Stir in a can of diced tomatoes and green chilies and a cup of frozen corn, then sprinkle with taco seasoning. I prefer to use my homemade taco seasoning recipe, but a store bought packet will work just fine.
- Add a generous scoop of sour cream to the beef mixture then layer it in the bottom of a casserole dish.
- Top with cheese (I love shredded Mexican Cheese blend for this) and frozen tater tots then bake!
Toppings for Taco Tater Tot Casserole
My favorite part of this taco recipe is actually the toppings! I love to load the finished casserole with chopped tomatoes, avocados, sour cream, and cilantro. The veggies and cilantro give the casserole such a great fresh flavor.
This casserole is easy to make with whatever ingredients you have on hand or what your family loves!
Feel free to swap the canned tomatoes for salsa, add chipotles in adobo for a smoky flavor, sauté some peppers with the onions, or bulk up the filling with black beans. Jalapeño slices are also a great addition, either sautéed with the onions or scattered on top.
If you like more heat, try adding some hot sauce or additional chili powder to the beef.
What to Serve with Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
Round out a Cinco de Mayo menu with these other favorites!
- Simple Summer Salad with Lime
- Mexican Fruit Salad
- 3 Bean Cilantro Lime Salad
- Don’t forget the margaritas! I’ve got my eye on this Mango Margarita!
Can I Make Tater Tot Casserole Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can brown the beef and layer the casserole several hours or days before you’re ready to bake. Leave the tater tots off of the casserole until it’s ready to go in the oven.
Can I Freeze Tater Tot Casserole?
Yes! Tater tot casserole can be frozen fully assembled. I have frozen it in 9×13 inch glass pans, aluminum disposable pans, or in 2 9 inch pie plates. Just be sure to use saran wrap to seal it tightly and defrost it in the fridge overnight.
Enjoy Taco Tuesday with Ohio Beef
Beef is a staple ingredient in my fridge and freezer. In fact, my family and I actually buy a side of beef every year so we always have it on hand! A 3 ounce serving of beef provides 25 grams of protein and 10 essential nutrients, plus it’s quick cooking, budget friendly, and so flavorful! We love using ground beef to make casseroles like this one or another favorite, Walking Tacos.
We also love making Grilled Flank Steak Tacos. A citrusy marinade is perfect for tenderizing tougher cuts of beef. A 30 minute to 1 hour marinating time is all you need to get tender, flavorful steak.
Looking for more meaty mealtime ideas? First try my Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet, then check out my roundups of Ground Beef Recipes, and 60 Beef Recipes for Every Cut!
If you’d like to learn more about beef farming and get additional recipes and cooking tips, check out OhioBeef.org or watch this short video of the Grimes family. These Ohio family farmers pour their heart and soul into caring for their cattle and their land through innovation and cutting edge technology.
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Taco Tater Tot Casserole
Taco Tater Tot Casserole with ground beef, green chilies, cheese, and all your favorite taco toppings is a weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/2 sweet yellow onion, diced
- 1 14 ounce can diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
- 1 cup frozen or canned corn
- 1 packet taco seasoning or 2 Tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican Cheese blend, divided
- 1/2 a bag frozen tater tots
For the toppings:
- 2 avocados, pitted and chopped
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- Sour Cream
- Cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Add the ground beef to a large frying pan over medium heat. Cook until some of the fat releases, then add the diced onion. Fry the two together until the onions are soft and the beef is no longer pink.
- Add the diced tomatoes and corn and sprinkle with taco seasoning. Stir until well combined. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Remove from heat and stir in the sour cream and one cup of the cheese.
- Spread the meat mixture into a deep dish 9 inch pie plate or 8 inch square casserole dish.
- Top with the tater tots and the remaining cheese. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until filling is bubbly and cheese is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and serve. Top individual portions with avocados, tomatoes, sour cream, and cilantro.
Notes
To make ahead: Follow steps 2-4 then refrigerate or freeze. When ready to bake remove from the fridge (if frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight), top with tater tots, and allow to warm up slightly while the oven preheats. Bake as usual.
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 465Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 106mgSodium: 641mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 6gSugar: 5gProtein: 30g
Please note nutritional information for my recipes is calculated by a third party service and provided as a courtesy to my readers. For the most accurate calculation, I always recommend running the numbers yourself with the specific products you use.
Can I use a 9×13 casserole dish. I have a big family. Would I double the recipe?
Yes! You can definitely double the recipe and use a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish.