Taco Tater Tot Casserole
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Taco Tuesday just got a cozy, family‑friendly upgrade. This Taco Tater Tot Casserole recipe takes everything we love about classic tacos: seasoned beef, beans, melty cheese, and tucks it under a golden layer of crispy tater tots. It’s hearty, comforting, and exactly the kind of easy dinner that disappears fast around the table.
This Tater Tot Taco Casserole has been on my website since 2015. My kids were a whole lot littler back then, and still lived at home, and even though that’s changed now, one thing that hasn’t changed though, is that there are two things I know that kids love: tacos + tater tots, and my thought to merge the two into this yummy Mexican Tater Tot Casserole recipe years ago, is still brilliant, even now.
Taco Tater Tot Casserole
If taco night and tater tot casserole had a baby, this would be it. The beefy, cheesy, seasoned base bakes up rich and flavorful, while the tots get perfectly crisp on top. It’s filling without being fussy, customizable with your favorite toppings, and easy to double if you’re feeding a crowd. Bonus: leftovers reheat beautifully.
Ingredients in Taco Tot Casserole
You will find the complete ingredients and instructions at the bottom of this post in the printable recipe card.
- Lean ground beef – A hearty, flavorful base that keeps the casserole filling without being greasy. Ground turkey or chicken works well as a lighter option.
- Onion – Adds savory depth and helps build flavor right from the start. Yellow or white onions both work.
- Salt & pepper – Simple seasoning to balance and enhance the beef before the taco flavors go in.
- Taco seasoning – The easy way to get that classic taco flavor without measuring individual spices. Use a packet from the store, or make your own Homemade Taco Seasoning.
- RO*TEL – Rotel diced tomatoes with green chiles adds even more flavor to the ground beef mixture.
- Pinto beans – Add heartiness. Black beans or kidney beans can easily be swapped in.
- Mexican-blend shredded cheese – Melts beautifully and ties everything together. Cheddar cheese, Colby Jack, or Pepper Jack all work well.
- Green onions – A fresh pop of flavor that balances the richness of the casserole.
- Frozen tater tots – The crispy, golden topping that makes this dish irresistible. Any brand works—just add them straight from the freezer.
- Optional Toppings for Serving – classic taco toppings like sour cream, avocado, shredded lettuce, and tomatoes let everyone customize their plate.
How to Make Taco Tater Tot Bake
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and spraying a 9×13 baking dish with non‑stick cooking spray.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion. Season with salt and pepper, then drain any excess grease. Stir in the taco seasoning, RO*TEL, and drained pinto beans until everything is well combined.
Spread the beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top, followed by the sliced green onions.
Arrange the frozen tater tots in an even layer on top. Bake uncovered for about 45 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden and crispy. Sprinkle green onions over the top.
Serve hot with your favorite taco toppings.
How to Store & Reheat Leftover Tater Tot Casserole
Let the casserole cool completely before storing. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil or transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
For the best texture when reheating, warm leftovers in the oven at 350°F until heated through, or use the air fryer to help the tater tots crisp back up. The microwave works well for quick lunches, but the tater tots will be softer.
If you know you’ll be reheating individual servings, storing leftovers in portioned containers makes things even easier.
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Easy Taco Tater Tot Casserole Tips & Tricks
- If you like extra‑crispy tater tots, you can broil the casserole for the last few minutes—just keep a close eye on it.
- Using lean ground beef helps prevent excess grease, but you can also blot the meat with a paper towel after browning if needed.
- This casserole is easy to prep ahead. Assemble everything except the tater tots, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, add the tots and pop it in the oven.
Tips & Tricks for the Best Tater Tot Casserole
If you like extra‑crispy tater tots, you can broil the casserole for the last few minutes—just keep a close eye on it. Using lean ground beef helps prevent excess grease, but you can also blot the meat with a paper towel after browning if needed.
This casserole is easy to prep ahead. Assemble everything except the tater tots, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, add the tots and pop it in the oven.
More Recipes to Love
If casseroles are your thing, be sure and check out my classic Tater Tot Casserole, my Tuna Tetrazzini and that yummy Chicken & Doritos Caserole pictured above. You can find all of my casserole recipes here. If it’s tacos or Mexican food you love, be sure to check out my homemade Enchilada Sauce recipe, these Double Decker Baked Tacos and my Mom’s Taco Casserole recipe. You can find all of my Mexican recipes here. And if those little tater tots are hard for you to pass up, you are sure to love my Spicy Tator Tot Casserole with Sausage and Mushrooms, this Reuben Totchoes recipe and this Beef & Kraut Tater Tot Casserole.
This is one of those back‑pocket recipes you’ll come back to again and again. Simple ingredients, minimal prep, and big payoff, perfect for busy weeknights, casual gatherings, or when everyone’s craving tacos but you want something a little different.
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Taco Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup onion chopped
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 1 taco seasoning packet
- 1 10 ounce can RO*TEL tomatoes
- 1 15 ounce can pinto beans drained
- 1 30 ounce package tater tots
- 2 green onions sliced
- 2 cups Mexican cheese shredded
- Optional Toppings: sour cream avocado, lettuce, tomatoes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees, spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Brown ground beef with onion. Salt & pepper to taste. Drain any excess grease. Add to the meat, RO*TEL and pinto beans. Stir to combine and spread into the bottom of your baking dish.
- Top with cheese and green onions.
- Top with tater tots.
- Bake for 45 minutes.
- Serve with your toppings of choice.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on October 15, 2015 as a sponored post for Rotel. It has been updated to improve user experience and reshared on January 6, 2025.
2 of our favorites in 1 casserole! My family will love this for sure!