Description
This Taco Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for family dinners. Ground beef is seasoned with taco spices and combined with diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and sour cream, then topped with crispy tater tots and baked until bubbly and golden. It’s a flavorful twist on traditional casseroles that delivers all the tasty elements of a taco in a satisfying baked meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasonings
- 1½ lb lean ground beef
- 1 (1-oz) package taco seasoning
Vegetables and Liquids
- 1 (10-oz) can diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
- â…“ cup water
Dairy and Cheese
- 1 (10.5-oz) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
- 1 (16-oz) container sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Other
- 1 (32-oz) package frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside to prepare for the casserole mix.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the lean ground beef until it is no longer pink. Drain the excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy. Add the taco seasoning, undrained diced tomatoes with green chiles, and â…“ cup water to the skillet. Stir to combine and simmer the mixture for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked beef mixture with the shredded cheddar cheese, frozen tater tots, condensed cheddar cheese soup, and sour cream. Mix everything thoroughly so that the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the combined mixture evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch pan. Be sure to distribute the tater tots evenly on top for a crispy finish.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the tater tots are golden and cooked through. Remove from oven and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and calories.
- For a spicier dish, use a hot taco seasoning or add chopped jalapeños along with the diced tomatoes and green chiles.
- To make the dish easier to serve, let it cool for 5-10 minutes after baking to set.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- You can substitute sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a healthier option.
- For a gluten-free version, verify that the taco seasoning and cheese soup are gluten-free.
