Tater Tot Taco Casserole

Tater Tot Taco Casserole takes two favorite meals and combines them – taco filling and toppings, plus tater tots. What’s not to love?!

This twist on Classic Tater Tot Casserole uses extra ingredients like corn, beans, taco seasoning, and red enchilada sauce to make it next level.

What kind of tater tots should you use?

Frozen tater tots are a quick and easy option to make this dish. They’re always great to have on hand in a pinch. Use seasoned tater tots if that’s all you have or even the shaped ones to make it a fun dish. You can also swap them out and try cauliflower or veggie tots instead if you’d like.

You could even try making your own Homemade Air Fryer Tots if you’re looking for a fun activity with your kids or you have a few extra minutes and some potatoes lying around. Making them yourself allows you to pick the seasonings and make them your own. I recommend adding homemade tater tots about half way through the cooking time so you don’t overcook them since they’re not frozen.

What seasonings should you use?

This dish is seasoned with a packet of taco seasoning and a can of red enchilada sauce, making it really simple to throw together without having to go through your spice cabinet.

If you only have chili seasoning lying around, no fear. That should work out just fine. Be sure to check out the difference between taco seasoning and chili seasoning. Fajita seasoning will work too. Or, you can make your own taco seasoning or fajita seasoning using ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.

When you choose your enchilada sauce, be sure to use a mild sauce if you’re serving this to people who are sensitive to heat or use the hot red enchilada sauce to kick it up a notch.

Can you make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes. If you make it ahead of time, I recommend making the filling but not topping it with tater tots to make sure that they don’t get too soggy when they thaw.

When you make the filling, let it cool to room temperature before wrapping and putting it away. Cover the casserole dish tightly with cling wrap or aluminum foil then refrigerate. I recommend using it within the next day or so! Just remove the casserole dish and top with the tater tots right before baking and you’re all set.

What toppings should you use?

You can pretty much top this with anything that your heart desires. Think of all those great things that you put on tacos and have fun with it. You could even serve the toppings separate so people can top their serving as they wish.

Here are a few of my favorite toppings:

• Shredded lettuce
• Diced tomato
• Chopped green onion
• Avocado
• Black olives
• Sour cream
• Salsa

Tater Tot Taco Casserole

Contributor: Sam Ellis

Tater Tot Taco Casserole takes two favorite meals and combines them – taco filling, toppings, and tater tots. What’s not to love?!

• Author: Sam Ellis
• Prep Time: 20 Minutes
• Cook Time: 45 Minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 10 servings 1x
• Category: Entrée
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Ingredients

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For casserole:

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 cup diced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (1 oz.) packet taco seasoning
• ½ cup water
• 1 (10 oz.) can red enchilada sauce
• 1 (15 oz.) can black beans
• 1 (12 oz.) bag frozen corn
• 2 cups shredded orange cheddar cheese
• 1 (32 oz.) bag frozen tater tots

To top:

• Shredded lettuce
• Diced tomato
• Chopped green onion
• Avocado
• Black olives
• Sour cream
• Salsa

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, add in oil. Once the oil is hot, add in ground beef, onions, and garlic and cook until ground beef is no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Drain off fat.
3. Stir together taco seasoning, water, and red enchilada sauce. Then add black beans and corn and cook until thickened, about 10 minutes.
4. Put in an oven-safe 9 x 13 pan or 3-quart casserole dish, sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese, and top with tater tots. Arrange tater tots in rows or circular pattern based on the casserole dish you choose.
5. Bake for 45 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown.
6. After baking, top with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, and chopped green onion. Serve with optional taco toppings like avocado, black olive, sour cream, and salsa. Enjoy!