Taco Tater Tot Casserole (In The Slow Cooker)
Taco Tater Tot Casserole (in the slow cooker) takes frozen tots to the next level with ground beef and beans, veggies, and salsa, all topped with plenty of shredded cheese. It’s the perfect hot and ready weeknight casserole – crowd pleasing and easy to customize with your favorite taco-themed toppings.
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What’s To Love About This Recipe
- This hearty comfort-food casserole brings together irresistible tater tots with bold taco flavors in an easy one-pot meal!
- As if tater tot casserole couldn’t get any better, this Mexican-inspired version can be customized with all your favorite fresh taco toppings.
- On those days you’re not sure what to make for dinner, this is a great way to plan ahead and turn simple ingredients into a full, satisfying meal.
- It’s a given that tater tots are a kid-favorite, but let’s admit it – the grown-ups love them too! This casserole is family-friendly and easy to customize to work for everyone.
- Taco-tater-tot casserole is the comforting one-dish meal you know will be a success! Make it for dinner and enjoy delicious leftovers for a warm lunch the next day.
- Try this for your next busy weeknight or when you need a wholesome recipe for casual gatherings.
Ingredients Needed
- Ground beef – Precook ground beef in a skillet to make the traditional taco-style filling. You can also swap for cooked ground turkey or shredded chicken for equally delicious options!
- Yellow onion – Add depth and flavor by sautéing a diced yellow onion with the ground beef and other veggies.
- Garlic – Deepen the flavors with some minced garlic cooked into the beef and veggie filling.
- Jalapeño pepper – Seed and dice a jalapeño pepper for a mild heat level. Add more or less as desired.
- Black beans – Black beans are an excellent source of protein and fiber, and add to the “Southwest” appeal of this tater tot casserole.
- Fire-roasted tomatoes – This is a great way to add a deeper, smokier flavor to the casserole. If you prefer less spice, you can also use regular diced tomatoes.
- Frozen corn – Frozen corn holds up well in the slow cooker and adds variation in texture to the casserole. It also maintains sweetness that enhances the overall flavor.
- Whipped cream cheese – Whipped cream cheese is an easy choice for creating a smooth, creamy mixture without the need for canned soups or extra additives.
- Tater tots – Choose any brand you like, whether extra-crispy, rounds, mini-tots, etc. (Keep in mind that in the slow cooker, the tots won’t reach the same level of crispness that they would in the oven or air fryer.)
- Salsa – I like using a restaurant-style salsa for this casserole, but there are so many options! Try a salsa verde or a spicy hot salsa for variation.
- Shredded mild cheddar cheese – Cheddar is a classic choice that melts well, but pepper jack blends also work and complement the taco flavor profile.
How To Make Taco Tater Tot Casserole In The Slow Cooker
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add beef, onion, garlic, and jalapeño.
- Break up the beef as it cooks and stir as needed to brown evenly and cook the veggies.
- Once the ground beef is fully cooked and the veggies are softened, you can spoon off any excess grease.
- Add black beans, tomatoes, corn, and cream cheese and stir to combine well.
- Heat through for 3-5 minutes.
- Spray the slow cooker well with nonstick canola oil spray.
- Add half of the tater tots on the bottom, then top with the ground beef mixture.
- Top with remaining tots, drizzle with salsa, and cover with shredded cheese.
- Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours, or until the tater tots are hot and slightly crispy on the edges and the cheese is fully melted.
Pro Tips
- Whenever you have the time, it’s always better to shred the cheese from the block for the best melt. (Preshredded cheese can have anticaking additives, which make the melt not quite as smooth.)
- Be sure to cook within the allotted time, and don’t overcook, or the tots will soften too much and fall apart.
- For crispier tots, avoid excess moisture in the filling. Ensure that canned ingredients have fully drained, and use a thicker, less watery salsa if needed.
- If possible, keep the tots in a single, even layer on top of the casserole for even cooking and presentation.
- If you use a casserole-style slow cooker, add the filling on the bottom, all the tots on the top, then cover with salsa and cheese.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Swap the protein with cooked ground turkey, leftover shredded chicken, or plant-based meat options, such as sausage crumbles.
- Incorporate other cheeses that melt and pair well with taco-style flavors, such as pepper Jack, Colby Jack, or a pre-shredded Mexican blend.
- If you’d like to deepen the taco intensity, add a tablespoon or two of homemade taco seasoning or your favorite brand of prepackaged taco seasoning.
- For a spicier version, increase the heat with extra jalapeño pepper or a medium-to-hot salsa.
- Customize your flavors with even more add-ins, such as finely diced bell peppers (any color), black olives, canned green chilies, or extra black or pinto beans (still drained and rinsed).
- For other tasty variations on tater tots, try other flavor-packed slow cooker casseroles such as Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole, Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole, and Slow Cooker Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole.
Taco Tater Tot Casserole in the Oven
- Preheat the oven to the recommended temperature on your package of tater tots.
- Prepare the beef, veggie, and cream cheese filling as directed.
- Lightly spray a 9×13 casserole dish with oil.
- Spread the beef filling across the bottom of the dish.
- Layer the tater tots evenly on top of the filling.
- Drizzle salsa over the tots, then cover with shredded cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 25-45 minutes, until the tater tots are crispy and the cheese is melted(the exact time may vary by brand, so check on it as needed).
Optional: Broil for a couple of minutes at the end for extra crispiness.
How To Serve Taco Tater Tot Casserole
Taco-themed tater tot casserole makes the perfect, homey weeknight meal with a kick of flavor! It’s the type of meal you can just divvy up into bowls, and everyone is happy.
If you want to expand the meal with extra sides and flavors, consider serving it with a simple side salad or fresh Tomato-Corn Salsa. For extra heartiness, add a side of The Perfect Slow Cooker Rice and top with lime and cilantro.
Customized Toppings
For extra customization, offer a variety of fresh taco-style toppings to make this a meal no one can turn down! Try ingredients such as:
- sour cream
- avocado
- chopped cilantro
- fresh chopped tomatoes
- extra salsa or hot sauce
- green onions
- or a scoop of Spicy Slow Cooker Queso!
Storing and Reheating
How To Best Store Leftovers
Fridge
Leftover casserole stores well in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Freezer
To freeze leftovers, store them in a tightly sealed container (with extra plastic wrap or lining to reduce the chance of freezer burn) for up to 3 months.
How To Best Reheat Leftovers
The texture of the tater tot casserole is best enjoyed fresh, but it also reheats just fine. For the best texture, reheat leftover servings in the oven or an air fryer (rather than the microwave). The oven or air fryer will do a better job at restoring some crispiness to the tots.
If reheating from frozen, allow the leftovers to defrost in the fridge prior to reheating.
Taco Tater Tot Casserole (In The Slow Cooker)
Taco Tater Tot Casserole (in the slow cooker) takes frozen tots to the next level with ground beef and beans, veggies, and salsa, all topped with plenty of shredded cheese. It's the perfect hot and ready weeknight casserole – crowd pleasing and easy to customize with your favorite taco-themed toppings.
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Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jalapeño pepper seeded and diced
- 15 ounces black beans drained and rinsed (1 can)
- 14.5 ounces fire-roasted tomatoes drained (1 can)
- 1/2 cup frozen corn
- 4 oz whipped cream cheese
- 2 pounds tater tots
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 8 oz shredded mild cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add beef, onion, garlic, and jalapeño
- Break up beef as it cooks and stir as needed to brown evenly and cook the veggies
- Once ground beef is fully cooked and veggies are softened, you can spoon off any excess grease
- Add black beans, tomatoes, corn, and cream cheese and stir to combine well
- Heat through for 3-5 minutes
- Spray slow cooker well with nonstick canola oil spray
- Add half the tater tots on bottom, then top with ground beef mixture
- Top with remaining tots, drizzle with salsa, and cover with shredded cheese
- Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours, or until tater tots are hot and slightly crispy on the edges and the cheese is fully melted
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days, or freeze in a tightly sealed container (with extra wrap to prevent freezer burn) for up to 3 months.
- Reheat in the oven or air fryer for the best texture and to restore some crispiness.
- For the best melt and texture, shred cheese from a block if possible.
- Avoid overcooking to prevent mushy tater tots.
- To prevent excess moisture, thoroughly drain canned ingredients well and use a thicker salsa if desired.
- If you use a casserole-style slow cooker, layer the filling on the bottom, all the tots on top, then finish with salsa and cheese.
Nutrition
Calories: 771kcalCarbohydrates: 67gProtein: 36gFat: 41gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 106mgSodium: 1288mgPotassium: 1061mgFiber: 11gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1047IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 366mgIron: 5mg
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Important nutritional disclaimer