Tater Taco Casserole
This Tater Taco Casserole is a Mexican mixture of taco meat, beans, corn, and cheese topped with tater tots and enchilada sauce. The family will love this tater tot casserole (some people call it a hot dish) recipe with a spicy kick! This Tater Taco Casserole is a twist on the classic easy dinner recipe.
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TACO TATER TOT CASSEROLE RECIPE
This casserole dish that the whole family will love. I’ve made quite a few failed dinner attempts lately so redemption was in order. This is classic comfort food!
Everyone loves tater tots and everyone loves Mexican food so why not combine the two! This tater tot hotdish is one of those easy casserole recipes to keep in the rotation.
Start by browning some beef, onion, and garlic. Next, we add a whole bunch of flavor so hold on to your shorts.
Add some green chiles, Old El Paso taco seasoning, black beans, corn, and cheese to the ground beef mixture. So easy!
Pour this into your prepared baking dish and top with tater tots. 
Drizzle some enchilada sauce on top to give those tater tots an extra kick. Bake the casserole until the tater tots are nice and crispy. If you like your tots extra crispy you can even bake them before placing them on top.
In normal tater tot casserole there’s cream of mushroom soup but this is a Mexican twist.
Since this is Tater Taco Casserole we need all our taco fixings: olives, sour cream, tomatoes, and cilantro.
HOW TO STORE THIS?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
CAN I FREEZE THIS?
Store in the freezer up to three months.
OTHER MEXICAN RECIPES
- Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Salsa
- Mini Chicken Chimichangas
- Grilled Chicken Tacos with Feta Cream
- Watermelon Salsa
- Black Bean and Chicken Rice Casserole
- Baked Chicken Chimichangas
- Taco Pizza Rolls
- Taco Lasagna
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Nacho Pot Pie
- Taco Pasta
- Easy Beef Burrito Skillet
Taco Tater Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced finely
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 (4 oz) can Old El Paso diced green chiles
- 1 (1 oz) package Old El Paso taco seasoning mix
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (12 oz) package frozen corn
- 3 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 1 (28 oz) package frozen tater tots
- 1 (10 oz) can Old El Paso red enchilada sauce
- Toppings: olives, cilantro, sour cream, tomatoes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. For extra crispy tater tots, bake tater tots for about 10 minutes while preparing the beef mixture - otherwise prepare as follows.
- In a large skillet, brown the beef and the onion. Add the garlic towards the end of the browning process and cook for 1 minute. Drain.
- Add the green chiles, taco seasoning mix, black beans, corn, and 2 cups of the cheese. Stir together to combine. If your skillet isn’t big enough you may need to stir it together in a bowl.
- Pour mixture into the prepared 9x13 pan. Arrange tater tots on top of the mixture in a single layer.
- Pour the enchilada sauce on top of the casserole as evenly as you can.
- Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes or until tater tots are nice and crispy. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top and place back in the oven for 2-3 minutes or until cheese has melted.
- Top with olives, cilantro, sour cream, tomatoes when serving if desired.
Video
Notes
I first made this for a church gathering. IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS! Now I’m asked to make it often 😃
Awesome!
Our family LOVES this casserole! 🙂 I have also made it many times to take to others on a meal train and everyone has always loved it!
I know this is an old thread, but this is dinner tonight. I started with a layer of doctored up refried beans, then taco meat, then sautéed veg (onion, garlic, bell peppers, jalapeño, and seeded zucchini) mixed with some salsa, the cheese and then tots. I have high hopes! This Minnesotan loves his tater tot hot dish.
Thank you!
As a Mid Westerner, do I dare say that I like this more than the normal tater tot hotdish recipes with the can a cream stuff. I love that I can add more veggies into it as well. Today I added some red peppers and zucchini. Also, only put the enchilada sauce on 2/3 of the 9×13 because I have little kids and it works out great for their spice level.
Haha you can say it!
Calories?
I found this to be bland. Maybe add some peppers into the mix. It was filling and easy to make.
This is cooking in my oven right now, looks like it’s going to be a big hit with my family! Can leftovers be frozen?
Yes absolutely!
Is this spicy???
It’s definitely very mild.
What is the calories of this
Can I make this ahead of time? And put in fridge until ready to cook?
yes, totally!
I’ve made this several times now, and it is always a hit! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Thank you David!
Can this be frozen before baking?
For what it’s worth, I did freeze this the last time I made it. I assembled everything up to the enchilada sauce (I wasn’t sure how that would affect the texture as it froze). The rest froze just fine, and I just added the sauce after I pulled it out of the freezer. In hindsight, I wish I’d thawed it in the fridge during the day before putting it in the oven for supper. I just gave it a little extra time in the oven, which turned out okay since everything was precooked anyway, but the center wasn’t as warm as I would have liked. Luckily, it makes plenty, so the middle just went for leftovers! The important part is that freezing didn’t seem to hurt the texture or flavor at all.
Yes, you would need to add some baking time to make sure everything cooks through.
This was SO good! I did the extra time in oven for the tots while making up the beef mix and really like how crispy the tots came out! The mix was delicious. My husband and I really like this. It will be made again…and again…. It was also easy to make. I like that! Really didn’t make any changes. My bag of tots was 32 oz so I used all of that. I used a mix of Mex cheese and Colby/Monterey Jack so that I could use up some loose ends. I consider these minor changes to be totally insignificant to the overall recipe Used sour cream, guac, hot sauce, cheese, salsa for toppings. Would have used cilantro, also, but didn’t have any. Thank you so much for the recipe!
Thank you Sally! That makes me so happy to hear. crispy tots are the only way to go!
I originally got this recipe from a friend years ago, but I always double check yours to make sure I’m getting time and ingredients right haha. It’s such a crowd pleaser and love how you can really make it your own. Definitely 5 stars!
Awesome!
This looks like a great way to mix up taco night. I would have never thought to combine tater tots with taco toppings but now I really want to try this. Will have to add this one to our meal plan.
Thank you!
What can I use instead of black bean, not a fan, but wanna make this recipe this weekend.
Thanks, Jan
I’ve never included black beans personally! You can really make it your own, include beans, don’t, include corn, don/t I honestly just do the meat with taco seasoning, the tots, and cheese, then add olives and sour cream after it’s done baking.
Sorry it’s too late. I would just omit them .
Hi Janet,
I would sub in pinto beans for the black beans 🙂
I LOVE this recipe!!! It’s a keeper! Thank you for sharing 😃
You’re welcome!
Can you use green enchilada sauce instead of red…..
Sure!
Could you use Pinto beans instead of the black beans?
Sure!
So delicious!! My husband asked me if this was hard to make. What he was actually asking, was if this could be made more often! 😉
Haha awesome!
This was absolutely delicious! We cut down 1 cup of cheese and the tomatoes on top are a must because they give it a freshness. Saving this one for sure!
Thank you!
Loved it! My husband who is usually really into health food even liked it… it’s a happy medium of comfort for and veggies that the kids love.
Great hearing that!
Any idea how/where to find nutritional information? It was good but trying to track intake. Thanks
I made this for dinner tonight. I used ground turkey instead of beef. It was a HUGE hit with my family! Thanks for an easy and delicious recipe!!!
Really good & so easy to make
Could I use refried beans instead of Black beans?
Might make it have a different consistency but it’s worth a try.
Absolutely incredible. One of the best dishes I’ve ever had.
Aww thank you!
Wow! I make quite a few casseroles because I’m a big fan of leftovers and I must say this is one of the best ever. It was sooo good. The enchilada sauce on the tators made them almost resemble corn tortillas. We didn’t have any tomatoes but we sliced up some green onions and it was delicious! Followed the rest to the t and wouldn’t change a thing. Great job and thanks for sharing!
Glad you liked it!
Can we freeze this ? If so would I make it exactly and just wait for it to cool before I freeze?
I haven’t personally tried freezing it but others have with success. Yes, I would let it cool then freeze.
Could you freeze this?
Can you freeze it to use fir later.
Made it tonight. Everyone loved it! Thank you.
So glad you loved it!
We skipped the meat altogether and just doubled up on the onions and beans, it was fantastic! We will definitely make this again, so good.
Thanks!
DELICIOUS TWIST! Definitely keeping in rotation, everyone loved it.
So happy to hear that!
Adding this to my recipe box. Easy and delicious!
Thank you!
I am not a good cook, just ask my family! But last week I was the “best cook ever” thanks to this recipe. I only make a few dishes that are “mmmm so good” as my son will tell you. So I stepped out of the norm and printed this recipe before leaving work, stopped at the store and whipped this up. It was super easy and quick! It was done as my son came home from football practice. It was a huge hit! My husband even liked it!! Thank you so much!!
That makes me so happy!
This is now one of our family favorites…THANK YOU
The whole family loves this!! Super delicious and easy!! It’s a keeper!!
I love that you love it!
I’ve made this a few times for DnD night and all my nerds love it! Thank you!
hahaha. I love that!
This was wonderful and sooo easy will make again and again and so on and so ….
Thank you!
We had it for dinner tonight, so yummy!! All I had on hand were Ore Ida Crispy Crowns. They’re just a little flatter.
So glad you liked it!
I made this for a girls sleepover with my sisters & niece & it was really good. I used pinto beans instead of black & omitted the corn & added a can of rotel. Definitely a keeper!
Sounds like you are a great cook!
I plan on making this tonight. Is it better adding water with the taco seasoning or without adding water?
Sorry. I was out of town. I don’t add water.
I’m going to try this on the weekend, but I have one question. The taco seasoning we get here in Canada always has you mix it with water. In your video you put just the packet in and no water. Doesn’t it come out very salty? Just curious…thanks! 🙂
Yes, ours calls for water too. You could add some but it doesn’t need it and isn’t too salty.
Google homemade taco seasoning, it’s super easy and you can completely skip the salt.
Wow! This is mind numbing crazy good stuff! Saw this recipe yesterday. Made it tonight for dinner. Husband said it was delicious. He ate two full plates of this. It made a lot so I am freezing some for lunches. I am thinking of bringing this to our superbowl party in two weeks. Thank you for this awesome recipe we really enjoyed this dish. Now I have to hit the treadmill.
Amazing. I did make a few small changes. I used canned corn just under a full can. I also accidently mixed the sauce in with the meat mixture. And it still is a favorite of ours. Mmmmm good
One of my favorites. I added some rice and jalapenos to the mix, made it really great!
WOW! This was a big hit. I was told is was the best dinner I have ever made. Thank you
Had this for dinner tonight. I added diced tomatoes inside and olives inside as well as the other stuff. Also after I put the meat mixture in the casserole dish I layered cheese on top and some olives then tater tots olives and cheese . it was a hit. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
You’re welcome!
Tried this. It was AMAZING!!! There definitely was not any leftovers!! The family lived it. Will be making this again for sure!!!
Thank you!
I ended up cooking the meat and taco seasoning before and it tastes awesome! My husband loved it!
So good to hear.
This recipe sounds amazing, I am making it tonight! Are you supposed to add the dry taco seasoning mix in or do you mix it with water and cook on the stove like your making tacos first?
Yes, cook it like you’re making tacos!
I cooked the meat then drained it then added the seasoning without any water and it tasted better.
Best recipe ever for the pickiest family ever. Only meal I can get six people to consistently eat. Always double it for leftovers. Reheats extremely well. Thanks so much for sharing.
Made it and the family loved it. Will make it ahain
Thank you! I love hearing that!
Going to make this for my wife tonight hope she likes it thank you Christy
I made it now just waiting for her to get home from work to see if she likes it
Hope she does!
Going to make this from my wife tonight I hope she likes it I will let you know later thank you Christy
Im trying tonight hope all gordo well..
Hope it does!
Made this for the poker guys…..they loved it! Two of them even asked for the recipe! I did bake my tots first and also added a can of Rotel tomatoes to the mixture…..a keeper for sure!!!
Prebaking the tots is a must in my opinion. Glad the guys approved!
This sounds amazing! I was just wondering if a can of corn work instead of the frozen corn?
Absolutely!
Yet another dinner from you that has been devoured by my picky eaters!!!! Super simple to make. The hardest part was trying to stop myself from eating the rest of it!
Taking it to work tonight so I can enjoy it again 🙂
Oh thank you! I love hearing that!
This is seriously good! Going in my recipe rotation for sure. I used 1 pouch of Frontera red enchilada sauce and Simply Organic spicy taco seasoning. Next time I will definitely follow the tip and pre-bake the tater tots so they are a little crunchier. I might try ground turkey also to share with my sister and she doesn’t eat red meat. This really is a delicious casserole!
Thank you!
Hi! This looks so good! I am planning on making it this week and am wondering if you’ve ever tried making it ahead of time and then popping it into the oven when ready to eat? I didn’t know if that would work with this recipe or not?! Thanks in advance!
I think it would work great! GOod luck!
This sounds so good! But unfortunately, I am not a big fan of tater tots. Do you think there is a different topper for this that would still work just as well?
Hmm. Potatoes still? Like shredded hashbrowns?
This looked so great! So as a cook, I changed it for my taste. Instead of the corn and beans, because I feel corn overwhelms the flavors, I substituted a cup of minute rice. I also added a can of diced tomatoes. Then did everything else, baked for the entire 40 minutes. It was amazing!!! . One of my new found favorite casseroles! As a finish I also added shredded lettuce and salsa. Kind of like a tater total enchilada!!
Love your additions!
Can’t wait to try this! Looks delicious!
Thank yoU!
I’m making this for the second time tonight, we love it! Made it for a group who can be picky and it was devoured the first time. Also, one of those rare recipes that doesn’t need any tweeking, thanks for sharing!
Oh thank you for saying that.
Super simple and delicious casserole! Everyone loved it. I mean of course they did! What’s not to love? Tacos and Tater Tots, it’s like they were made for each other.
So happy to hear that!!
I discovered this recipe on Pinterest a few months ago and it is my family’s new favorite dinner, they request it often. I think I’ve made it at least once a month since first trying it. Thank you for sharing!
That just warms my heart hearing that!
Does this reheat okay? Looking for something to make for when my company celebrates “National Taco Day” and would need to make it the day before. Thanks!
Yes. I think it reheats well.
Trying this tonight but leaving out the green chilies (no one likes them) and substituting pinto beans for the black beans.
Danell how did that turn out? My family isn’t for black beans so i was thinking of what bean to try. Your idea was great. Hope it was yummy.
Looks yummy! Going to try it tonight – just bought ingredients. 🙂
You’re welcome!
I see corn in the photos of the finished meal but there is no corn listed in the ingredients. Am I missing something? It looks like the corn would be a delicious add in so I just wanted to see how much I should add. Thank you!
It says a 12oz bag of corn….I had a big bag, so just threw some in. It is a tasty casserole!
A 12 ounce bag of corn is listed in the ingredients. Hope that helps…
Have you ever tried freezing this? If so, how did it go? I am always looking for new recipes that freeze well for busy nights (or nights I don’t feel like cooking!!).
I have not tried freezing this although I think it work great!
This looks amazing!! Definitely something I’m going to have to try.
We had this for supper tonight and really enjoyed it. Will definitely be having it again.
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!
I made for dinner last night, and it was to die for! Definitely will make this again. Everyone loved it. Thanks for sharing!
Oh my gosh! I love hearing that!
What a fun pie recipe!
Thank you!
This looks delicious! I could eat this right now!!
Thank yoU!
This looks delicious! Wonderful comfort food!
hey girl I would so love this! Yummy!
Thank you!
Umm well this looks to die for! Tots are one of my all time favorite guilty pleasures so definitely want to try this but with veggie meat for me!
http://www.sprinklesandsaturdays.com
I think you’ll love it!
I’m making it with veggie meat tonight!
ooh yummy!
This is a Great dish
Thank you!