Description
This Taco Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty, flavorful one-dish meal that combines seasoned ground beef, diced tomatoes with green chiles, creamy cheddar cheese soup, and sour cream all topped with crispy tater tots and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, it’s easy to prepare and bakes to golden bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1½ lb lean ground beef
- 1 (1-oz) package taco seasoning
- 1 (10-oz) can diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
- â…“ cup water
- 1 (10.5-oz) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
- 1 (16-oz) container sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (32-oz) package frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set the pan aside.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the lean ground beef until it is fully browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat to reduce greasiness.
- Add Seasonings and Simmer: Stir in the taco seasoning, undrained diced tomatoes and green chiles, and water into the cooked beef. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes so the flavors can meld together and thicken slightly.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked beef mixture with the condensed cheddar cheese soup, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and frozen tater tots. Mix everything thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of ingredients.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the combined mixture evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch pan, creating a smooth top layer of tater tots.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the tater tots are crispy and golden brown on top.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- To make it spicier, add extra diced jalapeños or use a spicy taco seasoning.
- For a gluten-free version, verify that taco seasoning and cheese soup are gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Add chopped onions or bell peppers to the beef mixture for extra veggies.
