Taco Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
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This scrumptious taco tater tot casserole recipe includes a layer of tater tots loaded with your favorite taco flavors, like taco seasoning, melted cheese, beef, and the toppings of your choice.
I love tacos in any form but have always had a fondness for taco casserole ever since I first remember Mama making it as a child (see her taco casserole recipe here). This taco tater tot casserole recipe is a more convenient (and a little simpler) spin on Mama’s, involving tater tots as the foundation layer. My husband, Ricky, who used to swear he didn’t like casseroles, can’t get enough of this one. I bet you’ll have plenty of takers in your house, too!
The recipe is below, but let me tell you, it’s quick and easy. You just add a layer of tater tots to the bottom of your casserole and cook your flavored ground beef before adding it on top. Then add a layer of cheese, bake it in the oven, and serve it alongside your favorite taco toppings. It’s filled with the taco flavors we know and love, but with the addition of tater tots (and who doesn’t love them?). It’s hearty, filling, and delicious.
If you want to streamline it even more, make double the taco meat (through step 2) and freeze half of it for a quick to throw together casserole next time.
Recipe Ingredients
- Frozen tater tots
- Ground beef
- Taco seasoning
- Barbecue sauce
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Taco toppings of your choice
How to Make Taco Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Place a layer of frozen tater tots in the bottom of an 8×8 casserole dish. Set aside.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef until it’s no longer pink. Then add the water, taco seasoning mix, and barbecue sauce. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until thickened. It will be very saucy and that is fine.
Spoon the taco beef mixture over the tater tots. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 400 for about 30 minutes. Top with your favorite taco toppings and enjoy!
Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- You can freeze the casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating briefly in the oven.
Recipe Notes
- Here are some taco toppings you might want to add on top of your taco tater tot casserole: green onions, shredded lettuce, Pico de Gallo, salsa, hot sauce, crushed tortilla chips or tortilla chips, sour cream, olives, cilantro, and guacamole.
- You can use whatever shredded cheese you prefer or have on hand. Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, and Pepper Jack cheese would all work well.
- Think it can’t be tacos without corn and beans? Feel free to add a can of black beans or pinto beans, and either a can of corn or a cup of frozen corn kernels to your meat mixture.
- Add some spice with a can of diced green chiles.
- Want to add more flavor? Feel free to add 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 chopped onion, and some bell pepper.
- Substitute the ground beef for ground pork or ground turkey.
Here are more terrific taco-flavored recipes:
Taco Soup (The World’s Easiest Supper)
Taco Pizza – Fast, Fresh, Delicious!
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen tater tots small bag, you won't need them all
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 packets taco seasoning mix
- 1.5 cups water
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese I use sharp
- Taco toppings of your choice
Instructions
- Place a layer of frozen tater tots in the bottom of an 8x8 casserole dish. Set aside.1 bag frozen tater tots
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef until it's no longer pink. Then add the water, taco seasoning mix, and barbecue sauce. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until thickened. It will be very saucy and that is fine.2 pounds ground beef, 2 packets taco seasoning mix, 1.5 cups water, 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- Spoon the ground beef mixture over the tater tots. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 400 for about 30 minutes. Top with your favorite taco toppings and enjoy!1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, Taco toppings of your choice
Nutrition
If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.
~Maya Angelou
Both of my Grandparents worked full time jobs at the mill, they had a huge garden they worked everyday when they came home, raised and processed their own pigs and cows. Raised 9 children, Attend church regular and were a God loving family. Where they found the time and energy only the Lord knows. I miss them so much.
I like tacos and tater tot casseroles. I will add this recipe to my list to try.
We love mexican recipes. This one is on the definite to try list in my kitchen. Thank you.
My Grandparents lived from covered wagon days to man on the moon. My Grandmother kept up with everything although she never learned to drive. She planted an apple tree when she was 90 and lived to make applesauce from the apples. She baked and sewed and gardened, but always had time for her grandchildren.
My Daddy’s parents both died when he was a toddler. His Grandmother raised all three boys. Oh,the stories my Daddy could tell!! For instance, if one of the boys wouldn’t get up in the morning,she would throw a bucket of ice water on them. It used to make me sad when I was young,but now I just remember the live they had for her,and am so grateful she kept them together. She was an amazing woman.
My Mother’s Mother died when I was 5. I have only a few memories of her. I’m told she taught me to whistle!! They lived next door,and I ate supper with them,often. They always had a bowl of rice with sugar,butter,and milk in it. I love that still!!Her Daddy lived with us after she died. He could build anything! I still have a small cradle he made for me. He died when I was 15. A hard worker and a gentle soul.
Grandparents are such a blessing!!
The rice you talked about, was it eaten for breakfast, like oatmeal or cream if wheat? I grew up with my Mom and Dad making breakfast rice, not a dry loose rice, but a creamy saucey-ish one. You have it with butter, sugar, pour a little milk on. I’ve never known anyone else who’s had rice like this!
My grandfather would knit fishing nets with a wood knob of some sort. I wish I had been older to appreciate and learn how he did it!
My mother’s father was born in a tiny town in Iowa. His father was a small farmer. When my grandfather was just a young teenager, my grandfather sent him to work on other farms to earn money for the family. He was sent away as far as Texas. I doubt I could have ever done that.