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A close-up of a hearty Tater Tot Casserole in a white dish, topped with melted cheese, crispy tots, and green onions.

Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole

A hearty and comforting casserole packed with seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, and a blend of gooey cheeses, all topped with a crispy layer of golden tater tots. It's the ultimate family-friendly meal for a satisfying dinner.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 680
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Savory Meat Base
  • 1.5 lbs Ground Beef 80/20 recommended
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp Chili Powder
  • 1 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper freshly ground
  • 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
  • 0.5 cup Beef Broth
For the Hearty Fillings
  • 10 oz Canned Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies undrained (Rotel style)
  • 15 oz Canned Black Beans rinsed and drained
  • 15 oz Canned Sweet Corn drained
For the Cheesy Topping
  • 2 cups Cheddar Cheese shredded
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack Cheese shredded (or more cheddar)
For the Crispy Crown
  • 32 oz Frozen Tater Tots
For Garnish (Optional)
  • 3 Green Onions sliced

Equipment

  • Large Skillet (12-inch)
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Mixing Spatula or Wooden Spoon

Method
 

Prepare the Base
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Add the minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Then, pour in the beef broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Assemble the Casserole
  1. Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes with green chilies, rinsed and drained black beans, and drained sweet corn. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then remove from heat.
  2. Spread the beef mixture evenly into the prepared 9x13 inch baking dish.
  3. Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese over the beef mixture.
  4. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese, covering the entire surface of the casserole.
Bake and Serve
  1. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
  2. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with sliced green onions, if desired.

Notes

For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a chopped jalapeño with the onions. You can prepare the meat mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 2 days; simply add the cheese and tater tots just before baking. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or a side of salsa for extra flavor.