Print

Mexican Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

5 from 309 reviews

Mexican Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty and flavorful baked dish, combining crispy tater tots, seasoned ground beef, cheese, salsa, and beans. This comforting casserole layers these ingredients for an easy, satisfying meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 (32 oz) bag of frozen tater tots
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 packet taco seasoning mix (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
  2. Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes. Drain excess fat. If desired, add taco seasoning and a splash of water, simmering for 3-5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
  3. Layer Ingredients: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, start by spreading half of the tater tots evenly on the bottom. Next, layer the cooked ground beef over the tots, followed by the black beans. Pour salsa evenly over the layers, then sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top. Add remaining tater tots to cover the casserole, and finish with the remaining cheddar cheese.
  4. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy on top, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  5. Serve: Remove from oven and let it cool slightly for 5 minutes. Then serve warm, optionally garnished with sour cream, chopped cilantro, or sliced green onions.

Notes

  • You can substitute black beans with pinto or kidney beans depending on preference.
  • For extra flavor, add diced onions and bell peppers to the ground beef while cooking.
  • To make it spicier, use a hot salsa or add chopped jalapeños.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: Mexican casserole, tater tots, ground beef recipe, easy dinner, baked casserole, comfort food