Description
Cheesy taco tater tot casserole delivers a flavor explosion that combines Mexican-inspired spices with comfort food magic. Crispy tots, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheese create a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef (85% or leaner)
- 1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, diced small
- 1 medium red pepper, diced small (optional)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 4-ounce can diced green chiles (mild or hot)
- 1 10-ounce package frozen corn (no need to thaw)
Cheese and Sauce:
- 3 cups Mexican blend cheese, shredded
- 1 10-ounce can red enchilada sauce
- 1 1-ounce package taco seasoning (or 2 – 3 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning)
Topping:
- 1 32-ounce package frozen tater tots (you may not use them all)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven, heating it to 375F (190C) for optimal cooking temperature.
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, carefully draining any accumulated fat.
- Incorporate diced onion, red pepper, and minced garlic into the skillet, sautéing until vegetables become tender and fragrant, approximately 5 minutes.
- Introduce diced green chiles and taco seasoning, allowing the mixture to simmer and develop rich flavors for 2 minutes.
- Gently fold black beans and frozen corn into the beef mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Transfer the seasoned beef mixture to a pre-greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Cascade enchilada sauce uniformly over the beef layer, creating a moist foundation.
- Generously scatter shredded cheese across the sauced surface, providing a melty layer of flavor.
- Strategically arrange frozen tater tots in a single, consistent layer atop the cheese, covering the entire casserole.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, baking for 30-35 minutes until tater tots transform into golden, crispy perfection.
- Allow the casserole to rest and slightly cool for a few minutes before serving to help it set and enhance flavor melding.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that maintains the same delicious flavor profile.
- Drain canned beans thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making the casserole soggy and ensure a perfect texture.
- Customize the spice level by adjusting the taco seasoning or adding fresh jalapeños for those who love extra heat.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and assemble the casserole quickly for a convenient weeknight meal that saves time and reduces kitchen stress.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 394 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg