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tater tot taco casserole

Tater Tot Taco Casserole

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • 1 large skillet
  • 1 9x13 inch baking dish
  • 1 Cutting board
  • 1 Chef's knife
  • 1 Wooden spoon
  • 1 measuring cup
  • 4 Measuring spoons
  • 1 Mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef lean
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup yellow onion diced
  • 2 clove garlic minced
  • 1 ounce taco seasoning packet or 2 tablespoons homemade
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cup corn kernels frozen, thawed
  • 1 cup black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup salsa medium
  • 1 10.5-ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 2 cup cheddar cheese shredded, divided
  • 28 ounce frozen tater tots
  • 2 tablespoon green onions sliced, for garnish
  • 1/4 cup sour cream for serving (optional)
  • 1/4 cup cilantro chopped, for garnish (optional)
  • 1 jalapeño thinly sliced (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the diced onion for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
  • Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned and no longer pink, then drain excess fat if needed.
  • Stir in minced garlic, taco seasoning, salt, and pepper, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Pour in water and simmer for 2 minutes to distribute the seasoning.
  • Stir in corn, black beans, salsa, condensed soup, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar until combined and bubbly.
  • Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
  • Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single even layer on top of the beef mixture.
  • Bake for 30 minutes until the tater tots are golden and the filling is bubbling.
  • Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup cheddar over the tots and bake 5 to 7 minutes more until melted.
  • Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
  • Garnish with green onions, cilantro, and jalapeño slices if using, and serve with sour cream.

Notes

For a spicier casserole, add 1/2 teaspoon chili powder or use hot salsa; for a milder version, choose mild salsa and omit jalapeño. You can substitute ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for the beef and use cream of chicken or a homemade roux in place of condensed soup. Ensure tater tots are arranged tightly for maximum crispiness, and bake on a lower rack to brown the tots well. The filling can be prepared up to 24 hours ahead, refrigerated, and topped with tots just before baking. Leftovers reheat best in the oven or air fryer to retain crunch.
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