Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
on Mar 10, 2025
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Mexican Tater Tot Casserole is one of our go-to meals for busy weeknights. This easy casserole recipe hits all the marks—quick, easy, affordable, kid-approved.
This dish takes all the things you love about tacos and enchiladas and combines them with crispy tater tots for the ultimate comfort food mash-up.
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This family casserole is a dinnertime winner. It features enchilada flavor, melted cheese, and a crispy potato topping. It’s a one-pan meal, so there is minimal prep and cleanup—because who has time for extra dishes after a long day?
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for a budget friendly meal that satisfies, this easy recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
Table of Contents
Mexican Tater Tot Casserole: A Flavor-Packed, Easy Dinner
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick & Easy: Just 15 minutes of prep before popping it in the oven.
Customizable: Add your favorite toppings and swap ingredients to suit your taste.
Perfect for Meal Prep: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Crowd-Pleasing: A family favorite that even picky eaters will love!
About this Recipe
This Mexican Tater Tot Casserole recipe is a true gem for any meal rotation, offering several benefits that make it a standout choice. Firstly, it’s a crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or special occasions.
The combination of seasoned ground beef, sweet peppers, and gooey queso creates a satisfying and flavorful meal that’s sure to delight both kids and adults alike.
Secondly, this recipe is incredibly easy to make and requires minimal ingredients, making it an ideal option for busy weeknights.
With a total cooking time of just 45 minutes, you can have a delicious meal on the table in no time. Plus, the recipe can be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen for later use, making it a fantastic option for meal prep.
Lastly, this recipe is highly customizable, allowing you to add your favorite toppings or ingredients to make it your own.
Whether you’re a fan of sour cream, salsa, or diced avocado, this tater tot casserole serves as a great base that can be tailored to your taste preferences. So, go ahead and make it your own with your favorite flavors!
More of our go-to family dinners like this one include this simple casserole made with meatballs, this chile cornbread recipe, and this easy Mexican lasgana.
What’s in Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
.The beauty of this easy family recipe is that it’s made with a handful of simple ingredients. Like all good recipes you probably have most of what you need in your pantry or fridge!
This Mexican Tater Tot Casserole features lean ground beef, onions, red bell peppers and garlic all mixed together with tangy red enchilada sauce and pinto beans.
Topped with crispy frozen tater tots and melted Colby Jack cheese. You can add lots of optional toppings like black olives, cilantro and avocado.
1 pound lean ground beef: This is the heart of the casserole, giving it that satisfying, meaty goodness we all love. I don’t recommend going to lean with the ground beef. I usually use 80% lean and 20% fat hamburger for this.
1 medium onion, diced: Onions add a nice sweetness and depth, making everything taste more flavorful.
1 red bell pepper, diced: I love how bell peppers add a pop of color and a sweet, mild crunch to the dish.
2 cloves garlic, minced: You can’t go wrong with garlic! It adds that aromatic punch that makes everything smell amazing.
1 can (10 ounces) red enchilada sauce: This sauce brings the whole dish together with a tangy, spicy kick.
1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed: Pinto beans are great for adding creaminess and extra protein to keep everyone full.
1 can (11 ounces) corn kernels, drained: Corn adds a bit of sweetness and crunch, balancing out the flavors nicely.
1 cup sour cream: Sour cream gives it that creamy, tangy touch that mellows out the spices perfectly.
1 teaspoon ground cumin: Cumin adds that warm, earthy flavor that screams Mexican cuisine.
1 teaspoon salt: A pinch of salt is all you need to bring out the best in every ingredient.
1/2 teaspoon chili powder: Just enough chili powder to add a little heat and smoky depth without overpowering the dish.
1/4 teaspoon black pepper: A dash of black pepper for that subtle kick and flavor boost.
2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese: This cheese melts beautifully, giving the casserole a creamy, cheesy finish. Be sure to use a block of cheese that you can shred by hand with a box grater. The pre-shredded cheese you buy in the grocery store has starchy preservatives in it that prevent it from melting smoothly and evenly.
1 (32 ounce) bag frozen tater tots: The tater tots are the star here, adding that crispy, comforting potato flavor we all crave.
Optional toppings: sliced black olives, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado: These toppings let you customize the casserole to your taste, adding extra flavor and freshness.
How to Make Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
(See the full recipe with instructions in the recipe card below.)
Preheat & Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190° C.) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the Beef: Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain excess grease.
- Sir in the veggies and garlic. Cook, while stirring, until the beef is browned and the onions and peppers are translucent and tender.
Mix the Filling: Add the sour cream, pinto beans, corn, enchilada sauce, and spices and stir it all together. Simmer this for 5 minutes while giving it a couple of stirls throughout.
- Transfer the beef mixture to the prepared casserole dish.
- Evenly spread the shredded cheese over the beef mixture.
Top & Bake: Arrange the frozen tater tots on top in a single layer over the beef mixture. Now, you can drizzle some extra enchilada sauce over the arranged tater tots or just bake it as is. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.
Optional Final Touches: Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the casserole and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve & Enjoy: Top with sour cream, extra cheese, and any of your favorite toppings!
Tips for Storing
To ensure that your Mexican Tater Tot Casserole turns out perfectly, follow these cooking and storage instructions:
To Store and Reheat
Allow the casserole to cool completely before refrigerating or freezing.
Store the casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze the casserole for up to 2 months. When ready to reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake in the oven until hot and bubbly.
Reheat the casserole in the oven or microwave until hot and bubbly.
By following these cooking and storage instructions, you can enjoy your delicious Mexican Tater Tot Casserole for days to come.
Variations and Substitutions
Add Heat: Toss in diced jalapeños or green chilies for extra spice.
Swap the Meat: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
Make It Vegetarian: Replace the beef with black or pinto beans.
Try Different Cheeses: Pepper jack, queso fresco, or a Mexican cheese blend all work great.
What to Serve With This
This delicious dinner is a meal all by itself. But if you want to add a few things, try some no-knead crusty bread, some homemade guacamole, or any of the following:
Classic Toppings: Sour cream, salsa, and more shredded cheese.
Crunchy Additions: Diced onions, bell peppers, or fresh jalapeños.
Lighter Sides: A grape and apple salad or roasted veggies balance out the dish.
Pro Tips for Making This
✔ Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
✔ Don’t overcook the tater tots—they should be crispy but not dry.
✔ Add freshness with chopped cilantro, scallions, or avocado slices.
✔ Experiment with cheese—a blend of cheddar, Monterey Jack, or queso fresco adds depth. Always use a block of cheese and shred it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese has starches and other preservatives that keep it from melting evenly.
Try this Today
This Mexican Tater Tot Casserole is the perfect combination of bold taco flavors and crispy tater tots, making it an easy, family-friendly meal that’s as comforting as it is delicious. Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dinner or meal prepping for the week ahead, it’s guaranteed to be a hit.
Try it tonight and make it your own with your favorite toppings!
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Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 oz red enchilada sauce, I can
- 15 oz pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 11 oz corn, drained
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 32 oz bag frozen tater tots
- Optonal toppings: sliced black olives, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado
Instructions
- . Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper until the beef is browned and the vegetables are tender, about 7-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute unMl fragrant.
- Stir in the enchilada sauce, pinto beans, corn kernels, sour cream, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Transfer the beef mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle the shredded Mexican blend cheese evenly over the beef mixture.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese, covering the enMre surface of the casserole.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is heated through.
- Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serve with opMonal toppings, if desired.
Notes
- Brown the Beef and Veggies – Cook the ground beef until browned and crumbly, then sauté the onions, bell peppers and garlic until soft. This is the foundation of the casserole.
- Layer Evenly – Spread the beef mixture in the baking dish, then an even layer of cheese and one layer of tater tots. This way every bite will have the right balance of flavors and textures.
- Bake Until Crispy – Bake at 375°F for 40-45 minutes or until the tater tots are crispy and golden. This adds the perfect crunch on top and makes sure the casserole is hot.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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My kids love this recipe and I love how easy it is to make. Sometimes if I have an extra packet of taco seasoning, I will throw it in with the enchilada sauce. It’s so delicious! Thank you very much for posting this. I love your recipes!
Hi Macey, I love the idea of adding some taco seasoning. I think you could even sprinkle some on top with the shredded cheese; will be giving your variation a try. Thanks for the great comments!