Description
This Easy Weeknight Chili Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish perfect for busy weeknights. Ground beef simmers with chili and flavorful spices, layered with melted cheese and crispy tater tots baked to golden perfection. Ready in under an hour, it’s an easy, satisfying meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (93/7)
- 28 ounces canned chili
- 10 ounces Rotel (or canned tomatoes with green chilies)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 32 ounces tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside to use later.
- Cook the Ground Beef Mixture: In a nonstick pan over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat if needed. Add the canned chili and Rotel to the beef, stirring to combine. Season with cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well until all spices are evenly mixed throughout.
- Assemble the Casserole: Pour the meat and chili mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 ½ cups of shredded cheese evenly over the meat mixture. Arrange a single layer of frozen tater tots on top of the cheese.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 35 minutes, until the tater tots are cooked through and starting to brown.
- Add Remaining Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheese over the tater tots. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Crisp the Tater Tots (Optional): If you prefer crispier tater tots, switch the oven to broil and cook the casserole for a few more minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Add your favorite chili toppings if desired and enjoy this easy, comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Feel free to use different shredded cheese blends like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend.
- To make it spicier, add extra chili powder or some chopped jalapeños to the meat mixture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For added texture, consider adding diced onions or bell peppers when browning the beef.