Mexican Tater Tot Casserole – An Easy To Prepare Dinner Recipe For Two!

Whenever I am looking for a delicious but easy dinner recipe, this Mexican Tater Tot Casserole always comes to mind. Taco seasoned ground beef and shredded cheese mixed and poured in the bottom of a casserole dish and then topped with frozen tater tots.

After 25 minutes in the oven, the crisp tater tots are then sprinkled with a little more cheese and put back in the oven just until the cheese has melted. Then when ready, the casserole is served with your favorite toppings.

It really is an easy dinner recipe made with just a few common ingredients that is perfect for any day of the week. Make this for Taco Tuesday, Cinco de Mayo or whenever you need a delicious dinner recipe.

However, because this recipe is a small casserole recipe, may be wondering what to do with the other half a pound of ground beef. This is a great time to explore the other recipes listed under the Recipe Index Page at the top of this article for some inspiration.

Although, to save you time, I have listed some of my favorite recipes that can be made with the remaining 1/2 pound of ground beef.

Half Pound Ground Beef Recipes

• Ground Beef Stroganoff
• Easy Meatloaf Muffins
• Stuffed Peppers For Two
• Easy Taco Casserole
• Instant Pot Hamburgers

However, if you prefer, you could also purchase a family pack of ground beef and freeze it for later use. Although, prior to freezing, be sure to separate out the meat into 1/2 pound sections.

Then use a Food Saver and freeze each individual portion. Then when you need to make this recipe, or any of the above recipes listed above, simply thaw out the half pound of ground beef and you are ready to make this delicious dinner!

Mexican Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 lb. ground beef
• 1/4 small onion, diced
• 2 mini sweet peppers, diced
• 1/2 packet of Taco Seasoning
• 1/4 cup salsa
• 1/4 cup Mexican blend cheese

Topping Ingredients

• 1 cup frozen Tater Tots, more or less depending on the size of casserole dish that you use
• 1/2 cup Mexican blend cheese

Garnish Ingredients

• Diced green onions
• Sour cream
• Salsa

INSTRUCTIONS

The first step in making this Mexican Tater Tot Casserole is to brown the ground beef and saute the onions and sweet bell peppers. Do this by adding the ground beef and diced onions and sweet bell peppers to a skillet.

Then over medium-high heat, saute the mixture for a few minutes until meat is browned and no longer pink. Remove the meat from the heat and drain the grease.

Then return the meat, onions, and peppers to the pan. Sprinkle the taco seasoning and salsa on top and stir to mix.

Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes or until the liquid is mostly evaporated. Then add in the Mexican cheese blend and stir.

Pour the mixture evenly into a small, greased casserole dish. Arrange the tater tots, in a single even layer on top of the meat mixture.

Bake uncovered at 375°F for 25-30 minutes or until the tater tots are crispy. Remove the casserole dish from the oven and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.

Place the casserole back in the oven and bake uncovered for 3-4 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted. Remove the casserole dish from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.

Serve warm and garnish with your favorite toppings.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I substitute the ground beef with ground turkey?

You can make this recipe healthier by substituting ground turkey, chicken or even plant based crumbles in place of the ground beef. However, when you go to brown the meat or meat substitute in the skillet, be sure to add a little extra virgin olive oil so that the meat does not stick to the surface.

2. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

This recipe is best when made right before it is placed in the oven. However, you can prepare the filling ahead of time. Simply place the seasoned beef mixture and cheese in the bottom of the casserole dish. Then cover and place in the refrigerator.

When you are ready to cook the casserole, remove it from the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes. Then top the casserole with the frozen tater tots and finish the recipe as instructed.

3. Can I use frozen hash browns instead of the tater tots?

You can substitute frozen hash browns for the tater tot topping. However the topping will not be as crisp as if the recipe was made as originally written.

4. Can I add any other ingredients into the mix?

Although this recipe is delicious as written, you can add more flavor and texture to the filling if you prefer. Add in cooked and drained black beans, corn, diced green peppers or jalapeno peppers to the ground beef filling.

Then mix in the cheese and continue to make the recipe as instructed. And speaking of cheese, feel free to change the type of cheese that you use based on what you like to eat.

For instance, use pepper jack cheese instead of the Mexican blend cheese for a spicier kick to this recipe. Or for a milder taste, use Mozzarella or Provolone cheese. The choice is up to you.

5. What can I serve with this recipe?

Although this Mexican Tater Tot Casserole can be a stand alone meal, there are a few other things items that pair perfectly with this recipe. Of course, chips and salsa are served at every Mexican restaurant and are a great appetizer for this recipe as well.

Serve the casserole with Mexican Rice, refried beans, and a guacamole salad and you have yourself an authentic Mexican platter.

Enjoy! Mary

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