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Taco Tater Tot Casserole

Last Updated on November 30, 2023 by Kimberly Stroh

Weeknight family dinners have never been easier or tastier with this classic Taco Tater Tot Casserole. It’s a family favorite that’s a regular on our weekly dinner rotation. With layers of taco-seasoned ground beef, cheese, and crunchy tater tots, it’s irresistible. It’s baked in a 9×13-inch baking dish and makes 12 servings total, so you’ll have plenty of delicious leftovers to enjoy when life gets busy.

Casseroles are one of my go-to meals for our family. It’s a one-dish type of meal. This Taco Tater Tot Casserole is hearty enough to be a meal unto itself, or you can choose to add some sides. Prepping the casserole only takes a minute, and you can even prep some of it a few hours before baking.

I’ll show you how we make Taco Tater Tot Casserole a part of our family’s dinner rotation and give you ideas to ensure your family asks for the meal again! The crunchy tater tots and the cheesy ground beef make this one of my favorite meals.

Looking for even more great casserole recipes that your family will love? Here are some of my most popular Savvy Mama Lifestyle casseroles, from pasta to chicken:

Tips For Making Taco Tater Tot Casserole

For this recipe, you’ll need a 9×13-inch baking dish. It’s such a common casserole size and every kitchen could use this size baking dish. Once you brown off your meat, it’s just layering the casserole and baking it in the oven until it’s bubbly and cheesy.

Taco Tater Tot Casserole for family dinner
Taco Tater Tot Casserole is such an easy go to dinner for our family!

What To Serve With The Casserole

This is a meal unto itself! However, if you’re looking for some side dishes, there are a few that make the meal even more hearty. An Authentic Mexican Rice would taste delicious or a Mexican Chopped Salad is a lighter option. Since I make Taco Tater Tot Casserole during busy weeknights, I like to keep it simple and stick with the casserole as a main meal. It’s hearty enough to serve by itself.

Recipe Substitutions

If you don’t want to use ground beef, substitute ground bison instead. Brown off the bison just like the ground beef and use it in the same way. Pick your favorite cheeses for the casserole. Mexican blended, cheddar, montery or pepperjack would all taste great in the casserole. I buy whatever is on sale!

How To Store Leftovers

For best freshness, cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and place the casserole in the refrigerator. Reheat portions in the microwave. Enjoy the dish within 4-5 days of baking. I like to make it in the beginning of the week so we have time to enjoy the leftovers on busy nights.

Can You Freeze Taco Tater Tot Casserole?

Yes! This is a casserole that freezes really well, making it great for meal prep. Sometimes the tater tots, during reheating don’t get crispy enough if you use the microwave. Instead, use the oven and reheat for 30 minutes at 350ºF once the casserole has thawed overnight. Or add some fresh tater tots. That helps too. Freeze the casserole for up to 3 months.

What You Need From The Grocery Store:

  • Frozen Tater Tots
  • Ground Beef
  • Taco Seasoning
  • Salsa
  • Shredded Cheese (Mix it up and use a blend or just cheddar)

Step-By-Step Directions To Make Taco Tater Tot Casserole

Preheat your oven to 425ºF. Lightly spray baking dish with Olive Oil nonstick spray. Add all tots to the pan and bake for ten mins. Remove and set aside.

Heating the tater tots before making the casserole

Brown your ground beef and drain. Add in taco seasoning, 1/3 cup water and 1 cup of salsa. Mix until well combined.

Adding salsa to ground beef mixture in stovetop pan.

Remove half the tots from the pan, leaving one row to cover the bottom of the pan. Top with the meat mixtures.

Ground beef mixture on top of tater tot layer.

Add half of the cheese to the top. Add the rest of the tots to the top. Top with the remaining cup of cheese. Cook for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and tots are cooked through.

Cooked Taco Tater Tot Casserole
Yield: 12 Servings

Taco Tater Tot Casserole

Taco Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

A staple in our home, everyone loves this Taco Tater Tot Casserole for an easy weeknight family dinner.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 32 oz Frozen Tater Tots
  • 1 lb Ground Beef
  • 1 oz Packet Taco Seasoning
  • 1/3 Cup Water
  • 1 Cup Salsa (any kind)
  • 2 Cups Shredded Cheese (I used a combination of Cheddar, Colby jack and Monterey Jack cheese)

Instructions

    1. Preheat your oven to 425ºF. Lightly spray the baking dish with Olive Oil nonstick spray. Add all tots to the pan and bake for ten minutes. Remove and set aside.
    2. Over the stovetop, brown your ground beef and drain. Add in taco seasoning, 1/3 cup water, and 1 cup of salsa. Mix until well combined.
    3. Remove half the tots from the pan, leaving one row to cover the bottom of the pan. Top with the meat mixtures
    4. Add half of the cheese to the top. Add the rest of the tots to the top.
      Top with the remaining cup of cheese.
    5. Cook for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and tots are cooked through.

Notes

    • Para cooking the tots helps them retain their crispiness under the weight of meat sauce.
    • Store leftovers in an airtight food storage container.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 338Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 832mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 17g

**Nutrition is calculated by a third party. Actual values may vary.

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