Mexican Tater Tot Casserole

Looking for a dinner that’ll make your pickiest eaters clean their plates?

This Mexican Tater Tot Casserole has become one of our family’s most requested meal!

The combination of crispy tater tots, seasoned ground beef, and melty cheese creates this magical comfort food that disappears faster than I can say “seconds anyone?”

These loaded tots work perfectly for those crazy nights when everyone’s schedule is different too.

The best part might be how amazing this dish is for entertaining for pot lucks, game nights and more.

Sometimes I make a double batch because the leftovers make an incredible breakfast topped with a fried egg.

Don’t tell my girls, but I might occasionally hide the leftovers in the back of the fridge behind the vegetables so they don’t disappear before I get some!

So, if you need a different weekly dinner idea, try this taco tater tot casserole dish.

Ingredients for Tater Tot Casserole

This Mexican tater tot casserole is so ridiculously easy to throw together that I can prep it during those 15-minute windows between dropping kids at activities.

The combination of crispy tots on top with that seasoned meat-and-cheese layer underneath creates this magical comfort food that has my girls literally racing to the table when they smell it cooking.

It’s totally customizable depending on what your family likes or what you have on hand.

The youngest picks out the bell peppers while the oldest adds extra hot sauce to hers. Everyone’s happy with the same basic dish!

Ingredients:

• Frozen tater tots
• Ground beef
• Taco seasoning
• Onion
• Bell pepper
• Diced tomatoes
• Black beans
• Corn
• Shredded cheese (we use the Mexican blend)
• Sour cream (for serving)
• Avocado (for serving)
• Green onions (for topping)

The middle one has started calling Wednesday “Tot-co Night” and actually sets a reminder on her iPad so I don’t forget to make it.

When your pickiest eater is enthusiastically reminding you to make dinner, you know you’ve found a winner!

How to Make Mexican Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Here’s how to make this easy dinner meal.

Step 1: Turn up your oven to 400F.

This is hotter than you might expect, but trust me – it’s the secret to getting those tots extra crispy before they even join the casserole!

Step 2: Grab those frozen tater tots and spread them out on a large baking sheet in a single layer. Pop them in the oven for 15 minutes – this pre-crisping step makes ALL the difference between soggy tots and crispy perfection.

Step 3: While those tots are getting golden, pour a little olive oil into a large skillet over medium heat.

Toss in your chopped onions and let them soften up for about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4: Once those onions are translucent, add your garlic and stir for just a minute. Be careful not to let it brown or it gets bitter!

Step 5: Crumble that ground beef into your skillet and break it up as it cooks. Keep stirring until it’s completely browned with no pink spots left.

Drain off that extra fat (I use a paper towel to soak some up) because nobody wants a greasy casserole!

Step 6: Sprinkle in your taco seasoning and a splash of water, then let it simmer for a minute or two before removing from heat.

Step 7: Grab your biggest mixing bowl – this is where everything comes together!

Combine your seasoned beef mixture with black beans, corn, those flavorful green chiles, and enchilada sauce.

Fold in 2 cups of that shredded cheese until everything’s well combined into this amazing-smelling mixture.

Step 8: Give a 9×13 glass baking dish a quick spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Pour in your cheesy meat mixture, spreading it evenly.

Step 9: Arrange those pre-crisped tater tots in neat rows on top!

Sprinkle that remaining cup of cheese all over the top like a beautiful cheesy blanket.

Step 10: Turn the oven down to 375F and slide your masterpiece in for about 30 minutes uncovered.

You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese is completely melted and you can see those magical bubbles around the edges.

Step 11: Let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving – this is the hardest part for my impatient crew!

Then we set out bowls of toppings like sour cream, avocado, cilantro and hot sauce so everyone can customize their own plate.