Description
This Easy Weeknight Chili Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for busy evenings. Featuring a flavorful chili base made with ground beef or turkey, beans, and tomatoes, topped with crispy golden tater tots and melted cheddar cheese, it’s a simple crowd-pleaser with minimal prep and a deliciously cheesy finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chili Base
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can chili beans (undrained)
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 (28 oz) bag frozen tater tots
Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped green onions or cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
- Cook Meat and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey along with the diced onion for about 6–8 minutes until fully cooked. Drain excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, which enhances the chili’s flavor.
- Simmer Chili Mixture: Add chili beans (with liquid), diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix well and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to meld the flavors together.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the chili mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the chili layer.
- Add Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer on top of the cheese-covered chili.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30–35 minutes or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Top with Remaining Cheese: Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese on top, then return it to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Serve and Garnish: Let the casserole cool slightly before serving. Optionally, garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro for added freshness and color.
Notes
- For extra heat, add a diced jalapeño to the chili mixture or use hot diced tomatoes.
- Enhance the veggie content by stirring in corn or bell peppers with the chili mixture.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with a dollop of sour cream on the side for added creaminess.
- Use ground turkey instead of beef for a leaner alternative.
- Make sure to crisp the tater tots well for the best texture contrast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 940 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
