Tater tot taco casserole takes taco night to a whole new level.
Layers of crispy tater tots and seasoned taco meat are covered in melty cheese and baked to golden bubbly perfection. Just add your favorite taco toppings and everyone will say ‘Ole!’
Your Family Will Love This Comforting Taco Tater Tot Casserole
- Easy to make, taco tater tot casserole goes from the oven to the table in no time at all. Perfect for busy weeknights.
- Serve taco tater tot casserole from a crock pot on game day and add bowls of taco toppings so guests can build their own.
- This casserole is a kid favorite for sleepovers or movie nights with a fresh pitcher of creamy lemonade.
What’s in Taco Tater Tot Casserole?
Tater Tots: No need to buy a name brand if a store brand is available. You can also try thicker potatoes like diced potatoes, waffle fries, or wedge fries.
Ground Beef: Use more or less taco seasoning with ground beef, turkey, or chicken. Feel free to use up leftover meat in this casserole as well.
Cheese: This recipe is all about the cheese. Any cheese works, even a combination of cheeses like Monterey Jack, cheddar, and mozzarella, or a Mexican blend.
Variations: For a nutrient boost (the kids won’t know!), add some shredded zucchini, corn, or black beans in Step 6 along with the ground beef.
How to Make Tater Tot Taco Casserole
- Bake a layer of tots in a casserole dish while cooking the ground beef with seasonings and salsa (full recipe below).
- Top tots with meat, cheese, and more tots.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and bake until cheese is bubbly.
Taco Toppings
Anything that goes on a taco goes on tater tot taco casserole. Shredded lettuce, sliced black olives, diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, slices of avocados, sliced jalapenos, a few dashes of hot sauce or salsa and guacamole, or a dollop of sour cream add even more south-of-the-border flavor.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Keep leftover taco tater tot casserole in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat portions in the microwave.
Freeze in zippered bags for up to one month. Thaw the casserole in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave or in an oven at 300°F until heated through.
More Southern Inspired Dishes
Did you enjoy this Taco Tater Tot Casserole? Leave a comment and rating below.
Taco Tater Tot Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 32 ounces tater tots
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 Tablespoons taco seasoning 1 ounce, 1 packet
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 cups shredded cheese divided (I use a combination of Cheddar, Colby jack and Monterey Jack cheese)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425˚F. Grease or spray a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Add tater tots to the baking dish and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown beef until browned. Drain.
- To the skillet, add taco seasoning, water, and salsa. Mix until well combined.
- Remove about half the tater tots from the baking dish, leaving enough tater tots to cover the bottom of the pan in a single layer.
- Top tater tots with the meat mixture. Sprinkle with 1 cup cheese, then remaining tater tots, and the remaining 1 cup cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until cheese is bubbling and tater tots are cooked through.
Notes
- Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days. It will keep in the freezer for 1 month.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
©Our Zesty Life. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Like our recipes?
Follow us on Pinterest!
REPIN this Taco Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
