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Mexican Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

  • Author: Dianna

Ingredients

Scale

For the Savory Ground Beef Layer:

  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended for flavor)

  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning (adjust to taste, low sodium option available)

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • ½ teaspoon chili powder (adjust for desired heat)

  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano

  • ¼ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)

  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (plus more to taste)

  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted for extra flavor)

  • ½ cup beef broth or water

For the Creamy Corn and Bean Layer:

  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

  • 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained (or equivalent frozen corn, thawed)

  • 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies (like Rotel), undrained (adjust heat level by choosing mild, medium, or hot)

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or pepper jack for extra spice)

  • ½ cup salsa (your favorite kind, mild to hot depending on preference)

  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional, for fresh flavor)

For the Golden Tater Tot Topping:

  • 1 (30 ounce) package frozen tater tots (or similar size, about 5–6 cups)

  • 2 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil (optional, for extra crispiness)

  • Optional toppings for serving: sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, extra salsa, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapenos, avocado slices

Instructions

  1. Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or a bit of olive oil. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

  2. Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease. Properly browning the beef is crucial for flavor development, so ensure it’s nicely browned and not just steamed.

  3. Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook and stir for about 3-5 minutes, or until the onion becomes softened and translucent and the garlic is fragrant. This step builds layers of flavor into the base of your casserole.

  4. Spice it Up: Stir in the taco seasoning, cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper to the beef mixture. Cook for about 1 minute more, stirring constantly, to toast the spices and release their aromas. Toasting the spices enhances their flavor profile significantly.

  5. Simmer the Beef Base: Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and beef broth (or water). Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook for about 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly thicken. Simmering helps create a richer, more cohesive flavor base.

  6. Prepare the Corn and Bean Layer: While the beef mixture simmers, in a large bowl, combine the rinsed and drained black beans, drained corn, undrained diced tomatoes and green chilies (Rotel), softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and salsa. If using, stir in the chopped cilantro at this stage. Mix everything together until well combined and the cream cheese is evenly distributed. Ensure the cream cheese is softened for easier mixing and a smoother texture.

  7. Assemble the Casserole: Spread the savory ground beef mixture evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Carefully spoon the creamy corn and bean mixture over the ground beef layer, spreading it out evenly. Try to create a relatively even surface for the tater tots.

  8. Create the Tater Tot Crown: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top of the corn and bean mixture. You can arrange them in neat rows, a spiral pattern, or simply scatter them evenly across the surface. For extra crispy tater tots, you can lightly toss them with melted butter or olive oil before arranging them on top.

  9. Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the casserole is heated through and bubbly. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven and the crispness you desire for the tater tots.

  10. Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set slightly and makes it easier to serve. Resting also helps prevent burning your mouth!

  11. Garnish and Serve: Serve hot, garnished with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, extra salsa, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapenos, or avocado slices. Offer a variety of toppings to allow everyone to customize their serving to their liking.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: one normal portion
  • Calories: 450-550
  • Fat: 25-30 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 35-45 grams
  • Fiber: 5-7 grams
  • Protein: 25-30 grams

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Find it online: https://mytastefulrecipes.com/mexican-tater-tot-casserole-recipe/