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Mexican Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 143 reviews

This Mexican Tater Tot Casserole is a delicious, hearty dish featuring seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and melted Mexican cheese layered under crispy baked tater tots. Topped with fresh garnishes like black olives, green onions, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo, it’s a perfect crowd-pleaser combining Tex-Mex flavors with comforting textures.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat & Vegetables

  • 1 pound lean ground beef (85% lean)
  • ½ cup yellow onion, chopped
  • 15 ounces black beans (1 can), rinsed and drained
  • 15 ounces fire roasted corn (1 can), drained
  • Chopped black olives (for topping)
  • Chopped green onions (for topping)
  • Chopped lettuce (for topping)
  • Chopped tomatoes (for topping)

Seasonings & Sauces

  • 4 teaspoons taco seasoning (divided)
  • 1 cup chunky salsa
  • Sour cream (for serving)
  • Guacamole (for serving)
  • Pico de gallo (for serving)

Cheese & Frozen Foods

  • 4 cups Mexican cheese blend (16 ounces, divided)
  • 32 ounces frozen tater tots (2 pounds)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside to prepare for layering the casserole.
  2. Cook Ground Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 6 minutes until the beef is no longer pink and the onion becomes translucent. Drain off any excess grease to keep the dish from becoming too oily.
  3. Season the Beef Mixture: Add 2 teaspoons of taco seasoning and 3 tablespoons of water to the beef mixture. Stir well and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the liquid evaporates, allowing the flavors to concentrate.
  4. Add Salsa, Beans, and Corn: Stir in the chunky salsa, rinsed and drained black beans, drained fire roasted corn, and an additional teaspoon of taco seasoning to the skillet. Mix thoroughly to combine all the ingredients evenly.
  5. Layer the Beef Mixture: Transfer the prepared beef and vegetable mixture to the sprayed baking dish, spreading it into an even layer for the base of your casserole.
  6. Add Cheese Layer: Sprinkle 2 ½ cups of the Mexican cheese blend evenly over the beef mixture to add a rich, melty layer.
  7. Top with Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer on top of the cheese layer, covering the entire surface of the casserole.
  8. Season the Tots: Sprinkle the remaining 1 teaspoon of taco seasoning evenly over the tater tots to enhance their flavor during baking.
  9. Bake the Casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown, crispy on top, and the casserole is bubbling hot in the center.
  10. Add Final Cheese and Broil: Remove the baking dish from the oven and sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top. Broil for 1 to 3 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly and slightly golden.
  11. Serve with Toppings: Serve the casserole hot, topped with your preferred garnishes such as chopped black olives, green onions, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo for extra flavor and freshness.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey for beef for a leaner option.
  • Customize the toppings based on your preference or what you have available.
  • To make it spicier, add jalapeños or extra taco seasoning.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
  • Make sure to broil carefully to avoid burning the cheese topping.

Keywords: Mexican tater tot casserole, ground beef casserole, taco seasoning recipe, Mexican comfort food, tater tot bake

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/mexican-tater-tot-casserole-recipe/