Mexican Tater Tot Casserole

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This Mexican Tater Tot Casserole recipe is packed with bold and savory flavor and a top layer of golden brown tater tots. The whole family will love this easy casserole dinner!

Close up of a scoop of tater tot casserole being taken from a baking dish.

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Loaded with ground beef, corn and beans, and chiles for some extra heat, this easy casserole recipe combines frozen tater tots with Mexican inspired flavors.

Table of Contents

Why this recipe works

Because it includes lots of nutritious ingredients like corn and beans, this recipe makes an entire meal in one casserole dish!

The end result is a comforting dish that's packed with flavor. Using taco seasoning emphasizes the Mexican flavors of this meal that's great for an easy dinner or even a special brunch.

And if you're still looking for more phenomenal casserole recipes, try my Big Mac Casserole or this One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole!

Gather your ingredients

Labeled ingredients for mexican tater tot casserole.

Ground Beef: You can use ground turkey or even ground chicken.
Onion: For fantastic savory flavor.
Taco Seasoning: Buy this from the grocery store or use my homemade taco seasoning.
Veggies: Aside from onions, you'll also need corn, green chile peppers, and black beans.
Enchilada Sauce: I use mild but you can use hot if you prefer.
Salsa: Feel free to use your favorite brand of store-bought salsa or make your own!
Shredded Cheese: A Mexican cheese blend is ideal for this dish, but you could also use something more simple like cheddar cheese or pepper jack cheese.
Tater Tots: No need to thaw first.

How to Make this Mexican Tater Tot Casserole

Steps 1 and 2 for making Mexican tater tot casserole.

Step 1: Cook the ground beef and diced onion in a large oven-safe skillet until the meat is browned.
Step 2: Stir in the taco seasoning, chiles, beans, corn, salsa, and enchilada sauce.

Steps 3 and 4 for making mexican tater tot casserole.

Step 3: Mix in about 2 cups of shredded cheese.
Step 4: Top with frozen tater tots, sprinkle additional cheese on top, and bake until the tots are golden brown and crispy and the filling is hot and bubbly.

Recipe Tips

Side view of a casserole dish filled with mexican tater tots.

Top your tater tot taco casserole with your favorite taco toppings like chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream.
Other cheese options include mozzarella or colby jack cheese.
Use bell peppers instead of chiles for a more subtle flavor with less heat.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven until the tots are crispy and the filling is heated through.

A bowl of tater tot casserole garnished with tour cream and cilantro.

Recipe FAQ's

What is in taco seasoning mix?

Most taco seasoning blends include cumin, paprika, garlic powder and onion powder. Some also include some cayenne pepper for heat or a bit of oregano for a subtle herbal flavor.

Why is my tater tot casserole soggy?

If you find the tater tots end up soggy instead of crispy, hold off on adding the cheese topping until the end. Another option is to cook the casserole under the broiler for a minute or so for an extra crispy and golden crust.

Can I freeze this casserole?

You can also prepare this casserole ahead of time, then cover and freeze it. Simply pull it out of the oven and bake whenever you need it! You'll need some extra baking time if you're cooking from frozen.

More Casserole Recipes

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