Description
Crispy Tot Chili Casserole is a comforting, family-friendly dish made with hearty beef chili, melted cheese, and a crispy layer of golden tater tots. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing meal that’s perfect for weeknights or game day dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) chili beans (or kidney beans), drained
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
- Chopped green onions or jalapeños for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and diced onion until beef is browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat.
- Add garlic, chili beans, Rotel tomatoes, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and let simmer for 5–10 minutes.
- Pour the chili mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the chili.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, or until tater tots are golden and crispy.
- Garnish with green onions or sliced jalapeños if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter or vegetarian version.
- Add corn, bell peppers, or black beans for extra texture and nutrition.
- Top with sour cream or hot sauce for added flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: chili casserole, tater tot bake, cheesy chili tots, comfort food casserole, ground beef chili bake