I’m sharing my Tater Tot Casserole, a simple dish baked in the oven that layers taco-spiced beef, melted cheese, and crisp tots into a crowd pleaser everyone will be asking for.

Jump to Recipe

I never thought mixing browned ground beef with a crispy top could cause such a stir, but this Taco Tater Tot Casserole did. The oven version is stupidly simple and somehow feels both trashy and genius at once.

I fold in shredded cheddar cheese then let the heat do the rest, and people who normally dont like casseroles suddenly act like they invented it. It reminds me of classic Tater Tot Casserole dinners and yea I once tried a Crockpot Tatertot Casserole Recipe Beef just to compare, but the oven crisp is the real star.

You’ll want to know why.

Ingredients

Print Recipe (No Advertisments)

Ground beef: Rich in protein, adds savory depth and some iron, a bit greasy sometimes
Yellow onion: Sweet and sharp, gives aroma and fiber, it softens and caramelizes
Vegetable oil: Neutral fat for browning, adds calories and helps get tots crispy
Taco seasoning: Spicy salty mix that boosts flavor, has sodium and cumin notes
Diced tomatoes with green chiles: Tomato tang with mild heat, provides moisture, vitamin C and brightness
Tater tots: Crunchy potato bites, mostly carbs and starch, irresistible comfort food
Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts into gooey topping, gives fat calcium and sharp cheesy flavor
Salt and black pepper: Simple seasoners that lift everything, use sparingly or it gets salty

Ingredient Quantities

1 lb ground beef (80/20 is best)

1 small yellow onion diced

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1 packet (about 1 oz) taco seasoning

1/2 cup water

1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles (Rotel)

1 bag (about 32 oz) frozen tater tots

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend

Salt and black pepper to taste

How to Make this

Print Recipe (No Advertisments)

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish with a little oil or nonstick spray.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, add the diced onion and sauté 2-3 minutes until soft, then add 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until no pink remains.

3. Season with salt and black pepper while cooking, drain off excess fat if there’s too much but leave a bit for flavor since 80/20 is best.

4. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the browned beef, pour in 1/2 cup water and the can of diced tomatoes with green chiles, stir and let simmer 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens a bit, taste and adjust salt and pepper.

5. Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish so it makes a solid layer.

6. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the beef, close together so they cover the meat.

7. Sprinkle about 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese over the tots, reserve the rest for later, cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.

8. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and bake uncovered another 10-15 minutes until the tots are golden and the cheese is bubbly, if you want extra crisp you can broil 1-2 minutes but watch it close or it will burn.

9. Let the casserole rest 5 minutes before serving so it sets up, then scoop and enjoy, it’s simple, cheesy and everyone will ask for the recipe.

Equipment Needed

1. 9×13 baking dish (lightly greased)
2. Large skillet 12 inch or similar for browning the beef
3. Wooden spoon or sturdy spatula for stirring and breaking up meat
4. Measuring spoons plus a 1/2 cup measure
5. Can opener for the diced tomatoes with chiles
6. Slotted spoon or large spoon to help drain excess fat
7. Aluminum foil to cover the casserole while baking
8. Oven mitts and a spatula for removing and serving

FAQ

Q: Can I make this vegetarian? A: Yes. Swap the ground beef for cooked lentils, black beans, crumbled tofu, or plant based crumbles. Cook them in the oil, stir in the taco seasoning and 1/2 cup water, simmer until thick, then use like the meat mixture. It wont be identical but still really good.

Q: Do the tater tots need to be thawed before baking? A: No. Use them straight from the bag. Baking from frozen gives better texture. If you want extra crisp, bake a few minutes longer or pop under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes at the end but watch close so they dont burn.

Q: What oven temp and bake time should I use? A: Preheat the oven to 400 F. Bake uncovered about 25 to 35 minutes until tots are golden and cheese is bubbly. If your oven cooks hot you might need a few minutes less.

Q: Can I make this ahead or freeze it? A: Yes. You can assemble and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Fully baked leftovers freeze well up to 2 months. To reheat from frozen, thaw overnight then bake at 350 F until heated through, uncover at the end to crisp the tots.

Q: How do I keep the casserole from getting soggy? A: Brown the beef well and drain excess fat, simmer the taco tomato mix until a bit thick, and dont layer too much sauce under the tots. Using Rotel straight from the can is fine but you can drain a little liquid if it seems watery.

Q: Can I change the heat level or cheese? A: Absolutely. Add canned green chiles or jalapeno for more kick, or use mild Rotel and less taco seasoning for a kid friendly version. Any melty cheese works great try mixing cheddar with pepper jack or a Mexican blend for more flavor.

Taco Tater Tot Casserole (Oven Recipe) Substitutions and Variations

Ground beef: swap for ground turkey or chicken (1 lb) — leaner and cooks the same, or go vegetarian with 1 can drained black beans or 1 cup cooked lentils for a meatless version.
Taco seasoning packet: make a quick mix of 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder and a pinch of salt and pepper, or use 2 tbsp salsa if youre out of spices.
Diced tomatoes with green chiles (Rotel): use a 10 oz can plain diced tomatoes plus 2 tbsp chopped green chiles, or swap for 1/2 cup chunky salsa or fresh diced tomatoes with a chopped jalapeño.
Frozen tater tots: use about 4 cups frozen shredded hash browns, or 3 medium russet potatoes diced and roasted until crispy, or small potato wedges if you want bigger bites.

Pro Tips

1) Crisp up the tots before they hit the casserole. Toss them with a little oil and a pinch of salt, then give them 8–10 minutes in a hot oven on a sheet pan so they start to brown. That way they won’t just steam on top of the beef and you get real crunch. If you’re short on time, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end but watch it close or you’ll burn it.

2) Pump up the beef flavor by getting good browning. Don’t rush the sear — let the meat sit a bit between stirs so it gets little brown bits. Scrape those bits into the sauce, they’re flavor gold. Also, drain off only the excess fat, leave a tablespoon or so for richness.

3) Keep the filling from getting soggy. If your tomato can seems watery, tip out some juice before adding it, or stir a teaspoon of cornstarch into the sauce and simmer a minute to thicken. Spread the beef in an even layer so the tots sit level, that helps them crisp evenly.

4) Make ahead and reheat smarter. You can assemble and refrigerate a day ahead; bake straight from the fridge but add 5–10 extra minutes. For leftovers, reheat in a hot oven or toaster oven to restore crispness — microwave will make it limp. If freezing, wrap tightly and thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.

Taco Tater Tot Casserole (Oven Recipe)

Recipe by Sarah level

0.0 from 0 votes

I’m sharing my Tater Tot Casserole, a simple dish baked in the oven that layers taco-spiced beef, melted cheese, and crisp tots into a crowd pleaser everyone will be asking for.

Servings

servings

Calories

617

kcal

Equipment: 1. 9×13 baking dish (lightly greased)
2. Large skillet 12 inch or similar for browning the beef
3. Wooden spoon or sturdy spatula for stirring and breaking up meat
4. Measuring spoons plus a 1/2 cup measure
5. Can opener for the diced tomatoes with chiles
6. Slotted spoon or large spoon to help drain excess fat
7. Aluminum foil to cover the casserole while baking
8. Oven mitts and a spatula for removing and serving

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef (80/20 is best)
1 small yellow onion diced
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 packet (about 1 oz) taco seasoning
1/2 cup water
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles (Rotel)
1 bag (about 32 oz) frozen tater tots
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend
Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish with a little oil or nonstick spray.
Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, add the diced onion and sauté 2-3 minutes until soft, then add 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until no pink remains.
Season with salt and black pepper while cooking, drain off excess fat if there's too much but leave a bit for flavor since 80/20 is best.
Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the browned beef, pour in 1/2 cup water and the can of diced tomatoes with green chiles, stir and let simmer 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens a bit, taste and adjust salt and pepper.
Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish so it makes a solid layer.
Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the beef, close together so they cover the meat.
Sprinkle about 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese over the tots, reserve the rest for later, cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and bake uncovered another 10-15 minutes until the tots are golden and the cheese is bubbly, if you want extra crisp you can broil 1-2 minutes but watch it close or it will burn.
Let the casserole rest 5 minutes before serving so it sets up, then scoop and enjoy, it's simple, cheesy and everyone will ask for the recipe.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.