Easy Taco Tater Tot Casserole
Seasoned taco beef, melty cheddar and a crispy layer of tater tots bake together in one dish for an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love. Top it with sour cream and green onions and dinner is done.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef 85% or 90% lean
- 1 packet taco seasoning 1 ounce (28 g)
- ⅔ cup water or the amount listed on your seasoning packet
- 1 ¼ cups shredded cheddar cheese up to 2 cups for an extra-cheesy casserole
- 16 oz frozen tater tots 1 bag, no need to thaw
- ½ cup sour cream for serving
- 2 green onions thinly sliced, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8x8-inch (2-quart) baking dish.
- Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbles with a spatula, until browned with no pink remaining, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain off the excess fat.
- Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the meat, 4 to 5 minutes.
- Spread the taco meat in an even layer in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar evenly over the meat.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots over the cheese in a single, snug layer, covering the top completely.
- Bake, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes, until the tater tots are golden and heated through and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. Top with dollops of sour cream and the sliced green onions, then serve.
Notes
Baking dish: this recipe fills an 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch dish. To bake it in a 9x13-inch dish, double every ingredient (2 pounds of beef and a 32-ounce bag of tots) so the tots cover the top.
Crispier tots: for extra-crunchy tots, bake at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes instead.
Make ahead: assemble the casserole up to 24 hours ahead, cover and refrigerate, and add 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time.
Nutrition
Calories: 716kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 31gFat: 51gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 133mgSodium: 1394mgPotassium: 680mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1254IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 320mgIron: 3mg
Nutrition details are an estimate, per serving.
