How to make taco tater casserole (video)

John Jasins

Contributing Writer

Tater Tots remind me of my childhood. On Friday nights, my dad would bake us kids a batch of Tater Tots, and we would eat them with ketchup and sour cream while we watched movies. They are the perfect snack food — crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They are just so satisfying! So what better way to top a casserole than with Tater Tots?

And this is not just a Tater Tot casserole. This is a taco tater casserole. Ground beef cooked with taco seasoning, cheese, corn, more cheese and a layer of Tater Tots. And did I mention cheese? This is a perfect recipe for a lazy Friday night, after-school snack or even the next big game. After browning your seasoned ground beef, build this casserole layer by delicious layer, finishing with Tater Tots on the top. Bake until the tots are golden brown, and finish with cheese. In the end, you have the most hearty and satisfying taco tater casserole! P.S., writing this recipe just made me so hungry. I think I hear Tater Tots calling my name ...

Cooktop Cove

Taco Tater casserole

10 minutes

35 minutes

45 minutes

2 pounds ground beef (80/20)

1 cup small-diced yellow onion

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 4.5-ounce cans diced green chilies

2 1-ounce packets taco seasoning

2 14-ounce cans corn, drained

3 cups shredded colby jack cheese, divided

1 28-ounce package frozen Tater Tots

1 cup sour cream

3 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown and crumble ground beef. Add yellow onion and cook for 1 minute. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in green chilies and taco seasoning. Stir until taco seasoning is completely mixed in. Add a tablespoon of water if the mixture is too thick.

Place ground beef mixture in a 3-quart casserole dish and spread until evenly distributed.

Sprinkle corn on top of beef. Top with 2 cups cheese. Arrange Tator Tots evenly on top of cheese until it is completely covered.

Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and sprinkle remaining cheese on top of Tater Tots. Bake for 8 more minutes.

Garnish with sour cream and green onions.