This delicious tater tot casserole is an easy one-pot meal that takes the classic comfort food recipe and adds a southwest twist to it. Loaded with deliciously seasoned ground beef, onions and peppers, corn, black beans, diced green chiles, sour cream, cheese, and crispy tater tots, this is the perfect weeknight meal the whole family will enjoy.
I love taking classics and putting a spin on them, and that’s exactly what I did with this delicious tater tot casserole recipe. Like all tot casseroles, it’s loaded with beef, cheese, and creamy sauce and topped with tater tots. However, I put a spin on it by adding a hefty amount of black beans, corn, diced green chilies, and zesty Tex-Mex seasonings to create a tater tot casserole that takes you south of the border in every bite! It’s just as easy as the original, and it’s loaded with flavors that will have everyone coming back for more. I love to make this as a fun addition to Taco Tuesdays, and it’s always a fantastic dish to bring to parties and potlucks.
Tater Tot Casserole
This delicious recipe starts with ground beef, onions, and jalapenos, which I cook until the meat is done and the veggies are soft. Then, I mix them with garlic and seasonings and cook again. I add everything else and cook it until it’s heated through, top it with tater tots, and bake it until the tots are crispy and golden. The entire recipe only takes about 50 minutes from start to finish, and when it’s all done, I have a filling, delicious meal that feeds a family for at least a couple of days.
Why You’ll Love This Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
- This casserole combines perfectly seasoned ground beef with a spicy kick of heat from jalapeños and onions, zesty seasonings, corn, black beans, diced green chilies, cheese, and sour cream.
- This hearty casserole is a classic favorite comfort food with a twist that the whole family will enjoy.
- It’s an easy one-pot meal that is budget-friendly and definitely satisfying.
Tater Tot Casserole Ingredients
This recipe uses simple ingredients you can snag in just a quick trip to the grocery store. Everything you need is in two or three aisles. That’s it!
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Jalapeno
- Cloves garlic
- Slap ya mama seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Paprika
- Red pepper flakes
- Whole kernel corn
- Black beans
- Diced green chilies
- Sour cream
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Frozen tater tots
How to Make Tater Tot Casserole
This recipe is super easy and comes together in just a few minutes. Just a little pan cooking and baking are all it takes.
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Beef and Veggies
Cook the ground beef, onions, and jalapenos in a large skillet over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink and the onions and peppers are tender. Drain the mixture and return it to the skillet. Then, add the garlic and seasonings to the meat, stir, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 3: Make the Casserole Filling
Add the corn, black beans, green chilies, sour cream, and 1 cup of cheese to the meat and veggies. Stir to combine and cook until the cheese is melty and heated through.
Step 4: Top and Bake
Add the mixture to the prepared baking dish in an even layer. Then, top it with the remaining cheese and cover it with tater tots. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the tots are golden brown. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Cook the ground beef until it is no longer pink but no further. Overcooking it will make it rubbery.
- Be sure to rinse the beans thoroughly to avoid a starchy flavor and texture in your casserole.
- The meat mixture is thick, so be sure to spread it out evenly when adding it to the dish.
Variations
- Try Mexican and taco blend shredded cheese or cotija cheese for even more Tex-Mex flavor.
- Omit the red pepper flakes for a less spicy casserole.
- Make this casserole with ground turkey for a leaner dish or ground chorizo for extra-zesty flavor.
What to Serve with Southwest Tater Tot Casserole
This delicious casserole is a complete meal all by itself. For family dinners, I recommend serving it with some garlic bread and a simple salad. If you’ll be hosting a party or a big Taco Tuesday night, try pairing this with classic Mexican dishes like:
- Tacos
- Burritos
- Quesadillas
- Enchiladas
- Nachos
- Chips and guac or salsa
- Spanish rice
- Mexican rice
- Churros
Recipe FAQ
Tater tot casserole is a dish made with ground beef, various vegetables, and a creamy sauce – usually made with creamed soup. The dish is topped with tater tots and baked until golden.
Tater tot casserole originated in Minnesota sometime in the 1930s. The first published recipe was submitted to a community cookbook by Mrs. C.W. Anderson and was made with hamburger, canned tomato soup, peas, celery, and elbow macaroni.
Tater tot hotdish and tater tot casserole are exactly the same thing. The names are simply what the dish is called in different regions of the country.
You can make the filling for tater tot casserole in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before you plan to make it. Then, simply top it with the tater tots and bake according to the recipe directions.
Tater tot casserole is freezer-friendly and will last for up to 3 months when stored properly.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Refrigerate this casserole for up to 4 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To reheat the casserole, place it in a baking dish with just a bit of water, cover it with foil, and bake it at 350 degrees until heated through.
Try This Delicious Tater Tot Casserole Recipe Today
This Tex-Mex tater tot casserole is rich, creamy, and beef, and it’s chock full of delicious southwestern flavors. With ground beef, onions, jalapenos, black beans, corn, and green chilies all coated in a cheesy sauce and topped with golden tots, this is a casserole that will have everyone tw0-stepping their way back for more. Give it a try. It’s too good and too easy not to!
More Delicious Casserole Recipes You’ll Enjoy
This Italian Sausage Penne Casserole is a hearty and delicious casserole recipe loaded with Italian sausage, lots of mozzarella cheese, onions, garlic, diced tomatoes, seasonings, and penne pasta. A delicious family favorite pasta recipe the whole family will enjoy.
Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 jalapeno, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon slap ya mama seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 15 ounce whole kernel corn, drained
- 15 ounce black beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 ounce diced green chilies
- 4 ounce cream cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 32 ounce frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add ground beef, onions, and jalapenos. Stir to combine and cook until meat is no longer pink and onions and peppers are tender. Drain and return to the skillet.
- Add garlic and seasonings to meat, stir to combine, and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add corn, black beans, green chillies, cream cheese, sour cream and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Stir to combine and cook until the cheese is melty and heated through.
- Spoon into the prepared baking dish and spread in an even layer. Add the remaining cup of shredded cheese over the top of the meat mixture.
- Top with potato tots.
- Place in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until tots are golden brown.
- Remove and serve with your favorite sides.
Notes
Nutrition
Follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Remember to “like” or “follow” us on all social media. Here are a few pics that are perfect to save to your favorite Pinterest boards on Pinterest.
