Easy Taco Tater Tot Casserole (Perfect for Family Dinners!)
Take your taco night to the next level with this Easy Taco Tater Tot Casserole! Packed with seasoned ground beef, black beans, cheese, and crispy tater tots, this hearty dish is perfect for family dinners.
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Growing up in Ohio, tater tot casserole was a household staple—a hearty hotdish that brought everyone to the table. This Taco Tater Tot Casserole takes that classic comfort food and gives it a bold Tex-Mex twist. Layers of zesty taco-seasoned ground beef, black beans, and fire-roasted corn are topped with crispy tater tots and melted cheese for the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
Whether you’re making this for Taco Tuesday, a weeknight dinner, or meal prep, it’s a dish that’s as easy to assemble as it is to devour.
Kid approved!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe for Busy Weeknights
- Easy Dinner Option: Perfect for busy nights when you need a quick, satisfying meal.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Full of taco flavors that the whole family will love.
- Flexible Ingredients: Swap in your favorite beans, cheeses, or taco toppings.
- Kid-Friendly: Who doesn’t love crispy tater tots on top of a cheesy casserole?
Ingredients for Taco Tater Tot Casserole
This recipe uses pantry staples and freezer favorites, making it a breeze to throw together:
- Frozen Tater Tots: The crispy star of the dish.
- Ground Beef: Use 80/20 or leaner if you prefer.
- Black Beans: Adds protein and texture. Pinto beans work, too!
- Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes: Adds smoky flavor; regular diced tomatoes work as well.
- Fire-Roasted Corn: Sweet and smoky goodness.
- Mexican Blend Cheese: For gooey, cheesy perfection.
- Taco Seasonings: Chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and cayenne bring the flavor.
- Shhh! Short on time? You can easily swap out these ingredients for one ounce packet of taco seasoning!
How to Make Taco Tater Tot Casserole
Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 425°F and grease a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick spray. Preheat your air fryer to 360°F and cook the tater tots for 10 minutes, shaking halfway.
Cook the Ground Beef Mixture
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté diced yellow onions in olive oil until softened. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart as it browns. Season with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and cayenne.
Assemble the Casserole
Drain the grease from the skillet and mix in the black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese.
Bake the Casserole
Transfer the mixture to your prepared casserole dish. Spread it evenly, top with the remaining cheese, and arrange the crispy tater tots in a single layer on top. Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and the tots are golden brown.
Garnish and Serve
Add your favorite taco toppings, such as sour cream, chopped cilantro, green onions, or sliced black olives, and serve warm.
What to Serve with Taco Tater Tot Casserole
This casserole is hearty enough to stand alone, but if you’re looking to round out the meal, here are some quick and easy ideas:
- Air Fryer Veggies: Use your air fryer to make crispy roasted broccoli or bell peppers while the casserole bakes.
- Chips & Salsa: Keep it simple with tortilla chips and your favorite store-bought or homemade salsa.
- Southwest Salad: A mix of greens, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and a cilantro lime dressing. Top your salad with my 15 minute tortilla strips!
- Mexican Rice: A great way to stretch the meal if feeding a crowd. This is our go-to family favorite!
More Easy Dinners You’ll Love
- Tasty Big Mac Sloppy Joes Dinner Recipe
- Easy Chicken and Noodles Recipe (Ready in 30 minutes!)
- 59 Easy Family Slow Cooker Meals (Crock Pot Dinners)
Pro Tips for Perfect Taco Tater Tot Casserole
Use an Oven-Safe Skillet
Want fewer dishes? Cook the meat mixture in a cast iron skillet, layer the toppings, and bake it directly in the same pan.
Make It Spicier
If your family loves spice, swap the chili powder for smoked paprika or add diced green chiles to the meat mixture.
Reheat for Crunchy Tots
For the best texture, reheat leftovers in the oven or air fryer instead of the microwave.
Add Freshness
A sprinkle of fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime juice can brighten up the dish.
Variations to Try Next Time
This recipe is incredibly versatile! Here are a few ideas to change it up:
- Protein Swap: Use ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles.
- Extra Veggies: Add diced bell peppers, zucchini, or jalapeños for extra flavor.
- Saucy Twist: Drizzle with red enchilada sauce before baking for even more Mexican flavor.
Storing and Reheating Taco Tater Tot Casserole
- Refrigerate: Allow leftovers to cool and store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Assemble and freeze the unbaked casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and bake as directed.
There’s nothing quite like a Taco Tater Tot Casserole to bring comfort and flavor to a busy evening. It’s the perfect recipe for when you want to feed your family without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, the crispy tater tots on top make it fun for kids and adults alike.
So the next time you plan Taco Tuesday, skip the usual tacos and try this casserole. It’s sure to become a new family favorite!
Happy Baking!
Taco Tater Tot Casserole
Take your taco night to the next level with this Easy Taco Tater Tot Casserole!
Ingredients
- 1 (28 ounce) bag frozen tater tots
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 ( 15 ounce) can fire roasted diced tomatoes (with the liquid)
- 1 ½ cups frozen fire roasted corn
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese, divided
Optional Garnishes:
- Green onions
- Sour cream
- Avocado
- Sliced black olives
- Extra cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and spray a 9x13 casserole dish with nonstick spray before setting aside.
- Set your air fryer to 360°F and add a layer of tater tots. Cook for 10 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil.
- Add the onions and cook for 5 minutes until translucent when the oil is warm.
- Add the ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper to the onions, breaking up the meat with a spatula as it browns.
- When the meat has browned, drain any excess grease before adding the fire-roasted tomatoes (with the liquid), corn, black beans, and 1 cup of Mexican cheese.
- Transfer the mixture to the casserole dish and top with the remaining cup of cheese and tater tots.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly around the edges and the tater tots are crispy.
- Garnish with a drizzle of sour cream, a squeeze of lime, sliced olives, and freshly chopped green onions or cilantro (plus any other taco toppings you like) before serving warm.
Notes
If you’re short on time, you can omit the seasonings in this recipe and opt for a 1-ounce packet of taco seasoning. Just pour the seasoning over the ground beef as it browns.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 581Total Fat: 39gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 112mgSodium: 712mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 7gSugar: 5gProtein: 36g
