This Mexican Tater Tot Casserole is a delicious, easy-to-make weeknight meal! It’s packed with ground beef, peppers, and of course tater tots! And it’s all topped off with delicious melted cheese. You’re going to love this easy casserole recipe!
If you’re a fan of tater tots, then the Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole is a must try!
Jump to:
Why you’ll love this recipe
This taco-inspired tater tot casserole is packed with flavor and easy to make. And, it’s a great kid-friendly dinner, perfect for an easy weeknight meal. Like the Stuffed Pepper Casserole, this is great recipe for feeding a crowd.
Why we love this recipe
Dan and I love this because of TexMex flavors. I’m a big fan of topping my serving with sour cream, tomatoes, olives and sliced jalapeños. Dan likes his straight from the pan.
These are ingredients I always keep on-hand. Knowing you have dinner in the bag (or in the pantry and freezer in this case, LOL!) makes life that much easier!! Another plus in my book!
Ingredients
For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Top with your favorite taco toppings – diced tomatoes, sour cream, cilantro and thinly sliced green onions.
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions for this easy dinner recipe. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Prepare casserole dish, set aside.
- Brown ground beef, diced onion, and bell pepper. Cook until the meat, is no longer pink and the onions are soft.
- Add the taco seasoning, water, corn and Queso and stir thoroughly.
- Cook until bubbly, then add 1 cup of the grated cheese. Stir to combine.
- Spoon the ingredients into the casserole dish.
- Place the tater tots on top of the ground meat mixture. Cover evenly.
- Place in the preheated oven until hot and bubbly.
- Remove, sprinkle with remaining cheese and cook another 5 minutes.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment
- casserole dish or baking dish
- large skillet
Don’t forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️
FAQ’s
Tater tot casserole is made with protein, a sauce, cheese, and delicious tater tots.
Tater tot casserole is popular in the Midwest, but it’s enjoyed all over the country!
Yes! You can easily make this recipe ahead of time. Simply assemble the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, allow the casserole to come to room temperature and then bake as directed.
A casserole is typically a dish that has protein, vegetables, and starch all in one. A hot dish is similar but usually has a creamy sauce or soup as the base. Though sometimes they are the same depending on where you live.
Deb’s tips
- Make sure that you grease your casserole dish well with nonstick cooking spray or butter so that your casserole doesn’t stick.
- I prefer to use cheese that I’ve shredded myself because it melts better. However, if you only have pre-shredded cheese that’s okay.
- There is no need to thaw the tater tots. If they aren’t crispy enough, place the casserole under the broiler for a minute or two to crisp them up.
- If you don’t have a taco seasoning mix packet on hand you can use your favorite homemade taco seasoning.
Variations
- You can swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or even shredded chicken.
- If you don’t like queso, you could use salsa or homemade red enchilada sauce in its place.
- For a spicer casserole, you can add in some diced jalapeno peppers or even green chiles.
- You can also black beans or pinto beans to the meat mixture in this casserole for an extra boost of protein and fiber.
- For a vegetarian casserole replace the ground beef with your favorite beans or a refried bean mixture.
Storage
Refrigerate – You can store this casserole in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container or tightly sealed with plastic wrap.
Freezer – This meal freezes well up to 2 months. I recommend assembling the casserole, wrapping it with aluminum foil and then freezing it before baking. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake as directed.
Reheat – To reheat, simply bake the casserole in a 350-degree oven until heated through. You may need to add an extra 5-10 minutes of baking time if it’s coming straight from the freezer.
More tater tot casserole easy recipes
Serve with
Be sure to have a bowl of tortilla chips to pass!
- Start your meal with a bowl of this Authentic Posole Recipe. It’s an amazing rich soup!
- If you’re looking for a quick and easy side dish to serve with this tater tot casserole recipe, look no further than Roasted Green Beans and Carrots. This fresh vegetable side is always a family favorite.
- You could also serve this Mexican casserole with a side of these Copycat Chiptole Black Beans for a flavorful side dish that tastes just like the restaurant.
- If you want a healthy yet delicious dish to pair with this hearty meal, then this Braised Swiss Chard recipe is for you. It’s full of bright-colored greens, but also delicious garlic and butter flavors. You won’t regret making this side dish.
Still hungry? Check this out for what to serve with Tater Tot Casserole!
What’s your favorite part of this yummy casserole? I’d love to hear it in your comments below!
Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
This cheesy tater tot casserole is a great option for a busy weeknight meal and the hit of every potluck! It’s a meal your entire family loves!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 421kcal
I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 375°F.
-
In a large skillet over medium heat add the ground beef, diced onion and bell pepper. Brown ground beef. Cook for 5 minutes, until the meat has no more pink and the onions are soft.
-
Add the taco seasoning, water, corn and Queso and stir thoroughly.
-
Cook about 2 minutes - until bubbly, then add 1 cup of the grated cheese.
-
Stir to combine then empty contents of skillet into a lightly greased 9x13” casserole dish.
-
Place a single layer of tater tots on top of the casserole to totally cover the ground beef mixture evenly.
-
Cook in the oven for about 20 minutes, until bubbly on the sides and golden brown.
-
Remove, sprinkle with the remaining cheese and place back in the oven. Cook for another 5 minutes.
-
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
-
Garnish with your favorite toppings: chopped tomatoes, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, olives, etc.
Notes
How Spicy is this version? In my opinion, it's a mild-medium spice level. I tried using one package of taco seasoning, and it was not enough; I thought it was bland. If you like your spices low-key, you could try using 1-½ packets instead and go from there.
Nutrition
Calories: 421kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 1436mg | Potassium: 513mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1408IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 187mg | Iron: 2mg
