Description
Hearty Mexican tater tot casserole brings zesty southwestern flavors to classic comfort food. Crispy potato tots mingle with spicy ground beef, melted cheese, and bold seasonings, creating a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Sauce and Additional Ingredients:
- 15 ounces (425 grams) can green enchilada sauce
- 15 ounces (425 grams) can black beans, drained, rinsed
- 10 ounces (283 grams) can Rotel
- 4 ounces (113 grams) can diced green chiles
- 8 ounces (227 grams) sour cream
- 2 cups (226 grams) Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 2 cups (226 grams) Sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 32 ounces (907 grams) bag tater tots
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 425°F and coat a 13 x 9 baking dish with non-stick spray for easy cleanup.
- In a heavy skillet, brown the ground beef with diced onions, minced garlic, cumin, Slap Ya Mama® seasoning, garlic salt, and black pepper until meat is fully cooked and vegetables are softened.
- Drain excess fat from the meat mixture, then return to the skillet.
- Incorporate green enchilada sauce, rinsed black beans, diced Rotel® tomatoes, chopped green chiles, and creamy sour cream into the meat mixture, stirring until well combined.
- Pour the spicy, savory mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer.
- Generously sprinkle a blend of shredded cheddar and monterey jack cheese across the top of the meat mixture.
- Carefully arrange frozen tater tots in a uniform pattern over the cheese layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, watching for a crispy, golden-brown tater tot topping and bubbling edges.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving hot, garnished with optional fresh cilantro or green onions.
Notes
- Get extra flavor by using fresh garlic and chopping onions yourself instead of pre-packaged versions for more vibrant taste.
- Lower the fat content by substituting ground beef with lean ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a healthier twist.
- Consider adding diced bell peppers or jalapeños for additional texture and authentic Mexican-inspired complexity to the casserole.
- Ensure tater tots are evenly spaced and not overcrowded to achieve maximum crispiness and golden-brown color during baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg