Introduction

Oh, friends! Do you ever have those nights where dinner feels like a marathon? You’re tired, the kids are hungry, and the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. Well, let me tell you, I have a recipe that’s going to be your new best friend. This Tater Tot Taco Casserole is pure comfort food magic. It’s the kind of dish that brings back happy memories of family dinners and is so simple, even your littlest helpers can get involved. Get ready to create some delicious memories!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Whip this up in under an hour, perfect for busy weeknights.
Easy: Minimal chopping and simple assembly mean less stress.
Giftable: Make a double batch and freeze one for a friend in need of a good meal.
Crowd-pleasing: From picky eaters to seasoned foodies, everyone devours this!

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to cozy deliciousness! Here’s what you’ll need:

Cooking spray: Just a little to keep everything from sticking.
1 pound ground beef: The hearty base of our taco adventure.
1 (16 ounce) bag frozen whole-kernel corn with red and green bell peppers: This is a fantastic shortcut for adding color and flavor without all the chopping!
1 (12 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained: For that essential taco element and a boost of fiber.
1 small onion, diced: Adds a lovely savory depth. (If you’re in a pinch, you can use pre-diced onions!)
1 clove garlic, minced: Because garlic makes everything better, right?
1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning mix: The magic dust that brings all the taco flavors together.
1 (12 ounce) bag shredded Mexican cheese blend: Gooey, melty cheese is a non-negotiable!
1 (16 ounce) package frozen bite-sized potato nuggets (such as Tater Tots): The crispy, golden crown jewel of this casserole.
1 (12 fluid ounce) can enchilada sauce: This adds a wonderful saucy kick and keeps the casserole moist.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens.

Preheat & Prep: First things first, let’s get that oven warmed up to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating, lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with your cooking spray.
Brown the Beef: Grab a large skillet and set it over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef and cook it until it’s nicely browned. Don’t forget to drain off any excess grease – nobody likes a greasy casserole!
Veggie Power: Now, toss in that colorful frozen corn and pepper mix, your rinsed and drained black beans, the diced onion, and minced garlic into the same skillet with the beef. Cook this delicious medley until the vegetables are tender and everything is fragrant, which should take about 5-7 minutes.
Flavor Explosion: Stir in the taco seasoning mix and pour in that enchilada sauce. Give it all a good stir for about 2 more minutes, letting those flavors meld together beautifully.
Into the Dish: Carefully pour this savory beef and vegetable mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly – you want that goodness to reach all the corners!
Cheesy Goodness: Sprinkle that shredded Mexican cheese blend evenly over the top of the mixture. I like to get it right to the edges so every bite has some cheesy goodness.
Tater Tot Topping: Now for the best part! Arrange your frozen potato nuggets (Tater Tots!) over the cheese layer. Try to cover as much of the surface as you can for that perfect crispy top.
Bake to Perfection: Pop that dish into your preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. You’re looking for those potato nuggets to be golden brown and the casserole to be wonderfully bubbly. That’s your cue it’s ready!

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also a great canvas for your own creativity! Here are a few ideas:

Spice it Up: If your family loves a bit of heat, add a diced jalapeño to the veggie mix or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the taco seasoning.
Veggie Boost: Feel free to add other frozen veggies like peas or a can of drained diced tomatoes to the beef mixture.
Bean Variety: Pinto beans or kidney beans can be used in place of black beans if you prefer.
Cheese Please: Don’t be afraid to mix in some cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack cheese with the Mexican blend for extra flavor.
Fresh Toppings: Once it’s out of the oven, serve it with your favorite taco toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, or avocado.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks can make your Tater Tot Taco Casserole even more spectacular!

Don’t Overcook the Veggies: While you want them tender, don’t cook them down too much in the skillet, as they’ll continue to cook in the oven.
Even Tater Tot Layer: Try to arrange the Tater Tots in a single, even layer. This ensures they all get nice and crispy.
Prep Ahead: You can totally assemble the entire casserole (up to adding the Tater Tots) a day in advance. Cover it tightly and refrigerate. When ready to bake, add the Tater Tots and bake a few minutes longer.
Frozen to Oven: It’s best to add the frozen Tater Tots directly from the freezer to the casserole – no need to thaw them!

How to Store It

Leftovers are always a good thing, especially with this casserole!

Once the casserole has cooled, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply place a portion on a microwave-safe plate and heat until warmed through. For a crispier bottom, you can reheat individual portions in a toaster oven or a small oven-safe dish at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.

FAQs

Got questions? I’ve got answers!

Q: Can I make this vegetarian?

A: Absolutely! You can easily swap the ground beef for plant-based crumbles or an extra can of black beans and corn for a delicious vegetarian version.

Q: Can I freeze this casserole before baking?

A: Yes, you can! Assemble the casserole, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze. When you’re ready to bake, remove the foil and plastic wrap and bake from frozen for about 45-50 minutes, or until heated through and golden. You might need to cover it with foil for part of the baking time to prevent the Tater Tots from burning.

Q: What if I don’t have Tater Tots?

A: No worries! You can use other frozen potato products like potato cubes or even seasoned potato wedges that have been chopped into smaller pieces. Just ensure they’re bite-sized.

Q: How do I make it spicier?

A: For more heat, add a diced jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture. You can also serve it with a side of your favorite hot sauce!

Tater Tot Taco Casserole

A quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing weeknight casserole featuring ground beef, corn, black beans, taco seasoning, and a crispy tater tot topping.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Servings 6 servings

Equipment

9x13 inch baking dish
Large skillet

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 16 ounce bag frozen whole-kernel corn with red and green bell peppers
1 12 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 small onion, diced If you're in a pinch, you can use pre-diced onions!
1 clove garlic, minced Because garlic makes everything better, right?
1 1 ounce packet taco seasoning mix The magic dust that brings all the taco flavors together.
1 12 ounce bag shredded Mexican cheese blend Gooey, melty cheese is a non-negotiable!
1 16 ounce package frozen bite-sized potato nuggets (such as Tater Tots) The crispy, golden crown jewel of this casserole.
1 12 fluid ounce can enchilada sauce This adds a wonderful saucy kick and keeps the casserole moist.
cooking spray Just a little to keep everything from sticking.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain off excess grease.
Add frozen corn and pepper mix, black beans, diced onion, and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in taco seasoning mix and enchilada sauce. Cook for 2 more minutes.
Pour the beef and vegetable mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
Sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese blend evenly over the top.
Arrange frozen potato nuggets (Tater Tots) over the cheese layer, covering as much surface as possible.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until potato nuggets are golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.

Notes

This recipe is a great canvas for creativity. Feel free to add jalapeños for spice, other frozen veggies, different beans, or mix up the cheese. Serve with your favorite taco toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, or avocado.