Cheesy Taco Tater Tot Casserole (Loaded Taco Tots)

A close-up of a cheesy taco tater tot casserole topped with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, green onions, and dollops of sour cream.

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Cheesy Taco Tater Tot Casserole (Loaded Taco Tots)

This cheesy taco tater tot casserole combines crispy tater tots, taco-seasoned beef, melted cheese, and fresh toppings for the ultimate comfort food. It’s like taco night and comfort food night rolled into one!

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Keyword: cheesy taco tater tot casserole, cheesy tater taco tot casserole, taco tater tot casserole, tater taco tot casserole

Servings:

Author: Lama

Ingredients

1 (28 ounces) bag Tater Tots
2 pounds Ground Beef
¾ cup Water
2 packets Taco Seasoning
2 cups Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend or more to taste
1 cup Tomatoes cubed
1 (2¼ ounces) can Sliced Black Olives
2 cups Lettuce shredded or chopped
¼ cup Green Onions chopped
½ cup Sour Cream for topping
¼ cup Taco Sauce optional, for drizzling
¼ cup Jalapeños sliced, optional
½ cup Crushed Taco Shells optional, for topping
1 cup Corn optional, for mixing in

Instructions

Bake the frozen tater tots according to the package directions until golden and crispy.
In a large skillet, sauté the ground beef over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Stir in water and taco seasoning packets. Simmer for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
While the beef simmers, chop and prepare the tomatoes, open and drain the can of sliced olives, shred the lettuce, chop the green onions, and slice optional jalapeños.
To assemble like a casserole-style, spread the baked tater tots evenly in a baking dish. Top with the taco beef mixture, then sprinkle with shredded Mexican cheese.
Place the dish back in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Alternatively, for individual plates, arrange a portion of baked tots on an oven-safe plate. Top with beef and cheese, then bake individually.
Remove the dish from the oven and add toppings: tomatoes, sliced black olives, lettuce, jalapeños, green onions, dollops of sour cream, taco sauce, and crushed taco shells.
Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Notes

Serve Right Away: This dish tastes best immediately out of the oven as the tater tots are still crispy and golden.

Crispy Tots First: Bake the tater tots until golden brown before assembling to keep them from getting soggy.

Drain the Beef: After browning the beef, drain any excess grease to prevent the casserole from becoming oily.

Customize the Spice Level: Use mild, medium, or hot taco seasoning depending on your heat preference.

Melt Cheese Perfectly: Bake just until the cheese is melted and bubbly for the best gooey texture.

Flexible Serving: Bake it casserole-style for family dining or prepare it on individual plates for personalized servings.

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