Mexican Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Introduction

Mexican Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty, flavorful dish that combines seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and melted cheese with crispy tater tots on top. It’s a comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef (85% lean recommended)
• ½ cup yellow onion, chopped
• 4 teaspoons taco seasoning, divided
• 1 cup chunky salsa
• 15 ounces black beans (1 can), rinsed and drained
• 15 ounces fire roasted corn (1 can), drained
• 4 cups Mexican cheese blend, divided (16 ounces)
• 32 ounces frozen tater tots (2 pounds)
• Chopped black olives (optional, for topping)
• Chopped green onions (optional, for topping)
• Chopped lettuce (optional, for topping)
• Chopped tomatoes (optional, for topping)
• Sour cream (optional, for serving)
• Guacamole (optional, for serving)
• Pico de Gallo (optional, for serving)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is translucent. Drain excess grease.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 teaspoons of taco seasoning and 3 tablespoons of water. Cook, stirring frequently, until the liquid has evaporated.
4. Step 4: Add the salsa, rinsed black beans, drained corn, and 1 more teaspoon of taco seasoning to the skillet. Mix well and remove from heat.
5. Step 5: Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle 2 ½ cups of the Mexican cheese blend evenly over the beef layer.
7. Step 7: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer on top of the cheese.
8. Step 8: Sprinkle the remaining 1 teaspoon of taco seasoning evenly over the tater tots.
9. Step 9: Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown, crispy on top, and the casserole is bubbling in the middle.
10. Step 10: Remove from oven, sprinkle the remaining cheese over the tater tots, and broil for 1 to 3 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles.
11. Step 11: Serve hot, topped with your choice of black olives, green onions, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, or pico de gallo.

Tips & Variations

• For added spice, include diced jalapeños in the beef mixture or as a topping.
• Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a leaner option.
• Substitute the Mexican cheese blend with sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese.
• Try adding a layer of refried beans under the beef mixture for extra creaminess.
• Make it vegetarian by omitting the meat and doubling the beans and corn.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through to maintain crispiness, or microwave with a cover to prevent drying out. This casserole can also be frozen before baking for up to 2 months; bake from frozen adding extra baking time.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh corn instead of canned fire roasted corn?

Yes, fresh corn kernels can be used. To maintain flavor, lightly roast or sauté the corn before adding it to the beef mixture.

Is it possible to make this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely. Prepare the casserole through Step 8, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add extra baking time if baking straight from the refrigerator.

Mexican Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 63 reviews

This Mexican Tater Tot Casserole is a deliciously hearty and comforting dish that combines seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and a zesty salsa base, all topped with crispy tater tots and melted Mexican cheese blend. Perfect for a family dinner, it’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor—finished with fresh toppings like black olives, green onions, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo to customize each serving.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef (85% lean)
• ½ cup yellow onion, chopped
• 4 teaspoons taco seasoning, divided
• 1 cup chunky salsa
• 15 ounces black beans (1 can), rinsed and drained
• 15 ounces fire roasted corn (1 can), drained
• 4 cups Mexican cheese blend (16 ounces), divided
• 32 ounces frozen tater tots (2 pounds)

Toppings

• Chopped black olives
• Chopped green onions
• Chopped lettuce
• Chopped tomatoes
• Sour cream
• Guacamole
• Pico de Gallo

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside to prepare for layering the casserole.
2. Cook Beef and Onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and chopped yellow onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 6 minutes until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is translucent. Drain any excess grease to keep the casserole from becoming too oily.
3. Season the Beef: Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of taco seasoning over the beef mixture and add 3 tablespoons of water. Stir well to combine and cook until the liquid evaporates, stirring frequently to avoid burning and to allow flavors to meld.
4. Add Salsa, Beans, and Corn: Stir in the cup of chunky salsa, rinsed and drained black beans, drained fire roasted corn, and an additional teaspoon of taco seasoning. Mix everything evenly to build a flavorful casserole base.
5. Layer Beef Mixture: Transfer the seasoned beef mixture into the prepared 9×13 baking dish. Spread it out into an even layer to form the bottom of your casserole.
6. Sprinkle Cheese: Evenly distribute 2 ½ cups of the Mexican cheese blend over the beef layer, providing a rich cheesy layer beneath the tater tots.
7. Arrange Tater Tots: Place the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the cheese. This layer will bake crisp and golden, creating a satisfying texture contrast.
8. Season Tater Tots: Sprinkle the remaining teaspoon of taco seasoning evenly over the tater tots to enhance their flavor.
9. Bake Casserole: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is bubbling hot in the center.
10. Add Remaining Cheese and Broil: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1 ½ cups of Mexican cheese blend on top. Switch the oven to broil, and broil the casserole for 1 to 3 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
11. Serve with Toppings: Serve the casserole hot, topped with your choice of chopped black olives, green onions, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo for a fresh and flavorful finish.

Notes

• You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
• If you prefer a spicier casserole, add jalapeños to the beef mixture or use a spicier salsa.
• Make sure to drain canned beans and corn well to prevent excess moisture in the casserole.
• Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
• For a gluten-free version, verify that the taco seasoning and canned ingredients are gluten-free.

Keywords: Mexican tater tot casserole, tater tot bake, ground beef casserole, Mexican casserole, easy dinner recipe, comfort food