I think I can safely say that the ultimate comfort food is Chili Casserole with Tater Tots. Who doesn't love the crunch of a perfectly cooked tater tot mixed with the savory goodness of home cooked chili? Make the perfect stay-at-home meal or enjoy this with friends- I'll show you how to make this simple recipe step by step!
Recipe Ingredients Notes
- Meat - We use grass-fed, lean ground beef to keep the hot dish a bit healthier. Our preference is 80% lean ground sirloin, but anything with less than 20% fat works great.
- Tomatoes - Can of diced tomatoes is used as it adds juiciness and flavor to this casserole. You can also use fire-roasted diced tomatoes for more smokiness.
- Cheese - We prefer cheddar, for its good meltability. To amp up the spiciness of your chili casserole a bit, feel free to substitute with pepper jack or even a Mexican cheese like queso fresco, Oaxaca, or Asadero.
Ways to Enjoy Every Bite
This tater tot chili casserole is hearty and satisfying enough to be served on its own as a one-skillet dinner. If you want a lighter option, a kale salad with creamy dressing adds a refreshing contrast to the rich and cheesy casserole.
For even more variety, consider customizing the casserole with different proteins, swap ground beef for ground turkey or pork, just like how we did it with our totchos recipe. If you love extra cheesy goodness, sprinkle on additional shredded cheese just before serving. If you have leftovers, try repurposing them into a chili dog topping or using them as a filling for loaded baked potatoes. Serve this with a slice of apple cobbler made with cake mix to round up your meal.
How to Make Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400ºF and grease a casserole dish. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, then add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Step 2: Stir in chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, cayenne (if using), tomato paste, and diced tomatoes.
Step 3: Mix well and let simmer for a few minutes. If your skillet isn't oven-safe, transfer the mixture to your prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef mixture.
Step 4: Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer on top. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until the tater tots are golden and the edges are bubbly. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with sour cream or green onions if desired.
Can I Make Tater Tot Chili Casserole Ahead of Time?
You can easily prep ahead and keep the chili casserole unbaked in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just make the recipe as shown, in a casserole dish. Then, let cool and cover the dish before putting it in the fridge. When you are ready, bake it at 400° F for about 30 minutes.
Having a ready-made dinner in the freezer is a great idea. First, follow steps 2-4 and prepare the chili in the skillet. Then, add it to an disposable aluminum pan, sprinkle on the cheese, and add the frozen tater tots. Let it cool completely. To store, wrap the casserole in aluminum foil and freeze it for up to 3 months.
Recipe Tips from Mrs. G
- Don't skip draining the beef fat. It keeps the casserole from turning greasy and soggy.
- Shred your own cheddar for better melt and flavor, pre-shredded cheese often has anti-caking agents.
- Add more veggies! Stir in some frozen corn, black beans, or diced bell peppers with the tomatoes for extra texture and nutrients.
- For extra crisp tots, bake the casserole on the top rack of your oven and broil for the last 2-3 minutes.
Storing Leftovers
To store, wrap the casserole in aluminum foil and freeze it for up to 3 months.
Leftover beefy chili casserole keeps well for up to 3 to 4 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
As with most any other frozen baked dish, chili cheese tater tot casserole reheats beautifully in the oven. Cover the pan with foil and reheat in a preheated 350°F. oven for 40-50 minutes, removing the foil after 30 minutes.
Chili Casserole with Tater Tots
Equipment
- 10-inch cast iron skillet or other medium-sized oven-safe skillet
- 9" casserole dish (if you don't have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the casserole to a dish for baking)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef we prefer grass-fed sirloin with no more than 20% fat
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes undrained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 30 ounces frozen tater tots
Optional (for a bit of heat)
- 1 teaspoon red cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF. If using a casserole dish, spray it with non-stick cooking oil and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and sauté, stirring occasionally until they are translucent.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a hamburger chopper or wooden spoon over medium heat until it is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
- Add seasonings, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes, mixing together. If your skillet is oven-safe, continue on to the next step. Otherwise, add the mixture to a round or oblong casserole dish.
- Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly across the top. Then top the casserole with a layer of tater tots.
- Bake at 400ºF uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and the edges of the casserole are bubbly.
- Remove casserole from the oven and let cool at least 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with sour cream, sliced green onion, or parsley.
Notes
- No oven-safe skillet? It's not a problem! Just transfer the chili to a baking dish and continue with the recipe.
-
- Spicy kick: Add diced jalapeños, cayenne pepper, or a few dashes of hot sauce to the chili for a bold, spicy flavor.
-
- Tex-mex twist: Stir in black beans, corn, and taco seasoning, then top with pepper jack cheese for a delicious Tex-Mex spin.
-
- BBQ chili casserole: Replace some of the chili seasoning with BBQ
- sauce for a sweet and smoky twist.
-
- Meat lover's version: Mix in crumbled bacon or spicy sausage for even more richness and flavor.
- To store, wrap the casserole in aluminum foil and freeze it for up to 3 months.
- Leftover beefy chili casserole keeps well for up to 3 to 4 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
- As with most any other frozen baked dish, chili cheese tater tot casserole reheats beautifully in the oven. Cover the pan with foil and reheat in a preheated 350°F. oven for 40-50 minutes, removing the foil after 30 minutes.
- You can easily prep ahead and keep the chili casserole unbaked in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Just make the recipe as shown in a casserole dish. Then, let cool and cover the dish before putting it in the fridge. When you are ready, bake it at 400° F for about 30 minutes.
Leave a Reply