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Taco Taters

This recipe creates a hearty casserole combining seasoned ground beef with corn, salsa, and melted cheeses, topped with crispy tater tots and baked until golden. It's a flavorful, easy-to-make dish perfect for a casual meal, offering a fun twist on taco night.
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Total Time 50 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6 people
Calories 4195.3 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet For browning ground beef
  • 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish Or similar size casserole dish
  • 1 Mixing Spoon
  • 1 Measuring Cups/Spoons (for taco seasoning)

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 15.25 ounce can corn
  • 1 8 ounce jar salsa
  • 1 ounce processed cheese such as Velveeta®
  • 1 ounce cream cheese
  • 1 package taco seasoning mix
  • 1 16 ounce package frozen bite-size potato nuggets (such as Tater Tots®)
  • 1 4 ounce can sliced black olives
  • 1 4 ounce can diced jalapeno peppers
  • 4 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 1 8 ounce container sour cream

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven according to the tater tot package instructions, typically around 400°F (200°C).
  • In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it apart.
  • Drain excess fat from the browned ground beef.
  • Stir in the taco seasoning mix, salsa, processed cheese, and cream cheese into the skillet with the beef; cook until cheeses are melted and sauce is well combined.
  • Remove skillet from heat and stir in the drained corn, sliced black olives, and diced jalapeno peppers.
  • Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • Spread the beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  • Arrange the frozen bite-size potato nuggets (tater tots) in a single layer over the beef mixture.
  • Sprinkle the shredded Cheddar cheese evenly over the layer of tater tots.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve hot with sour cream.

Notes

Ensure the ground beef is fully browned and drained of excess fat before adding other ingredients to prevent a greasy casserole. While the recipe uses specific cheeses, you can experiment with Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend for variations. For crispier tater tots, you can bake them separately for 10-15 minutes before adding them to the casserole. Adjust the amount of jalapenos or add a pinch of cayenne for more heat if desired. Serving with fresh cilantro or a dollop of guacamole would elevate the presentation and flavor.