Description
Easy Weeknight Chili Tater Tot Casserole combines hearty ground beef, kidney beans, and spicy chili flavors topped with crispy golden tater tots and melted cheddar cheese. This comforting American dish is quick to prepare and perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chili Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 (28-ounce) bag frozen tater tots
- Chopped green onions or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get it ready for baking the casserole.
- Cook the Meat and Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef along with diced onion and minced garlic until fully browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess fat to keep it from being greasy.
- Prepare the Chili Mixture: Add the drained kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper into the skillet. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 5 to 10 minutes until it thickens slightly and flavors meld together.
- Assemble the Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and pour in the chili mixture, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Sprinkle 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the chili layer.
- Add Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the chili and cheese. This layer will bake to a crispy golden finish.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the tater tots are crispy and golden brown.
- Melt Remaining Cheese: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top. Return it to the oven for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool slightly before garnishing with chopped green onions or parsley if desired. Serve warm for a comforting and hearty meal.
Notes
- You can use canned chili instead of making the chili mixture from scratch to save time.
- Swap kidney beans with black beans for a different flavor variation.
- Serve with sour cream or hot sauce on the side for added creaminess or heat.
- Ground turkey is a leaner alternative to ground beef if preferred.
