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Taco Tater Casserole Recipe

Taco Tater Casserole is a comforting, satisfying, and customizable dish that fuses taco flavors with classic casserole style. It’s cheesy, hearty, and full of flavor, perfect for feeding a hungry family or a crowd.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 packet taco seasoning mix or 2 tablespoons homemade mix
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
  • 1 28 oz bag frozen tater tots
  • Optional toppings: diced tomatoes avocado slices, sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced green onions

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook until soft, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
  • Add ground beef or turkey and cook until browned and fully cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks.
  • Drain any excess fat, then add taco seasoning and 1/2 cup of water. Stir and let simmer for 3-5 minutes until sauce thickens.
  • Stir in black beans and corn. Cook for another 2 minutes until warmed through. Remove from heat.
  • In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread the meat mixture evenly.
  • Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the meat.
  • Arrange tater tots in a single layer on top.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, then remove and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top.
  • Return to oven and bake for another 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and tater tots are golden and crispy.
  • Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Add optional toppings as desired.

Notes

  • For crispier tater tots, broil the casserole for the last 2-3 minutes of baking.
  • Don’t skip the resting time after baking—it helps everything set and makes it easier to serve.
  • Swap in pepper jack cheese for extra heat, or add chopped pickled jalapeños to the meat mixture.
  • This casserole freezes well. Assemble fully, freeze before baking, and bake straight from frozen at 375°F for 60-70 minutes.