Here's a favorite for those nights when you're short on time and need some inspiration. Our Tex-Mex Tater Tot Casserole comes together in 20 minutes and is a crowd-pleaser! Bursting with Tex-Mex flavors and cheesy goodness, plus the crunch of crispy tater tots, this casserole always makes my family smile when it's dinner time!
This yummy dish is perfect for those nights when you're staring at the pantry and need to pull together a meal but don't know what to make. It's incredibly quick to prepare, with most of the ingredients already in your pantry or freezer.
The most time-consuming stage is browning the ground beef. Then you layer the other ingredients and pop it in the oven for 30 minutes to get the cheese melted and those tater tots golden and crunchy. Serve and get ready for seconds!
Recipe Ingredients
- Lean ground beef: I like to use 96% lean so there isn't much grease. You can also swap ground turkey.
- Taco seasoning: This is an easy seasoning to make and store at home, or you can use a packet from the store.
- Chunky salsa: Your favorite chunky salsa will work great--jarred, fresh from the store, or even homemade.
- Black beans: Full of fiber, protein and antioxidants, they're a healthy powerhouse!
- Frozen corn: A great timesaver--no need to defrost, simply measure and pour. You could also use canned corn, just drain before adding to the mixture.
- Pepper jack cheese: This spicy cheese gives the dish a great flavor.
- Tater tots: Crispy outside and fluffy inside--these add a perfect texture to this dish.
- Cheddar cheese: I prefer to use a block of cheese and grate it myself, but packaged shredded cheese will also work. It doesn't melt as well, but it does save time!
How to Make
Be sure to see the recipe card for full ingredients and instructions.
- Prep: Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Sauté: Brown the ground beef in a large cast iron skillet or oven safe pan over medium high heat. Drain any excess grease.
- Blend: Mix in taco seasoning, salsa, black beans, and corn. Stir well and press down into the pan.
- Layer: Top meat mixture with pepper jack cheese. Then layer with tater tots and lastly cheddar cheese.
- Cook: Bake for 30 minutes or until tater tots are golden brown.
- Enjoy: Serve hot with diced tomato, green onion, and sour cream for garnish.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, most of the ingredients do not traditionally contain gluten, or there are gluten-free versions easily available at grocery stores. Check the tater tots to ensure you're buying a brand that does not have gluten cross-contamination; there are large national brands that are gluten-free. Also, be sure to check your taco seasoning if you use a store-bought packet, as some store brands contain flour or have potential cross-contamination from other products.
Generally, Tex-Mex refers to cooking that was inspired by a blend of Mexican and southern American recipes characteristic to the border regions of Texas. These dishes added ingredients that were typically not used in traditional Mexican cuisine, like yellow cheese or black beans.
Instead of the ground beef or turkey, use your favorite plant-based beef substitute to make this Tex-Mex Tater Tot Casserole vegetarian.
Top Tips
- Use your favorite chunky salsa--there are a lot of fresh or jarred store brands that would taste great in this recipe.
- I prefer to use 96% lean ground beef for this recipe so there isn’t much grease.
- You can also dump the meat mixture into a casserole dish before layering the cheese and tater tots.
- This is a great dish for meal prep: You can make it ahead of time and freeze it. (In a casserole dish) Just be sure to allow it to thaw out prior to baking or adjust the time in the oven. It would need an additional 20-30 minutes if cooking from frozen.
Recipe Variations
- Swap ground turkey for ground beef for a healthier version of this recipe.
- Pinto beans would be a good substitute if you don't have black beans on hand.
- For more veggies, add diced bell peppers.
- Add some diced jalapeños, hot sauce or crushed red peppers to customize the spiciness, and garnish with cilantro for extra flavor.
Easy Sides for Pairing with This Tex-Mex Tater Tot Casserole
If you want to keep things super simple, pair your tater tot casserole with a side of steamed veggies. If you're up for putting in a little more effort, here are some easy side dish ideas that will go well with the flavors in this recipe:
- Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Chips and guacamole
- Mexican rice
Storage & Reheating
- To store: Place covered leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- To reheat: Warm leftovers in the oven at 350 degrees for about 20-30 minutes in an oven-safe dish. You can also heat individual servings in the microwave for about 45 seconds to one minute each, but this method won't crisp the tater tots.
- To freeze: Freeze leftovers in a covered casserole dish or other freezer safe container. Store in the freezer for up to three months.
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Tex-Mex Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup chunky salsa
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Brown the ground beef in a large cast iron skillet or oven safe pan over medium high heat. Drain any excess grease.
- Mix in taco seasoning, salsa, black beans, and corn. Stir well and press down into the pan.
- Top meat mixture with pepper jack cheese. Then layer with tater tots and lastly cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until tater tots are golden brown.
- Serve hot with diced tomato, green onion, and sour cream for garnish.
Notes
- If you're using my homemade taco seasoning recipe, use 2-3 tablespoons of the mixture instead of one packet from the store.
- I prefer to use 96% lean ground beef for this recipe so there isn’t much grease.
- Transfer the meat mixture into a casserole dish before layering the cheese and tater tots prior to baking to save a step at clean up. Cover the cooled dish with foil and place in the refrigerator.
- You can make this dish ahead of time and freeze it. (In a casserole dish) Just be sure to allow it to thaw out prior to baking or adjust the time in the oven. It would need an additional 20-30 minutes if cooking from frozen.
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