One of the first recipes I ever created completely from scratch is also one of my most requested ones. It’s my tatertot casserole with a southwestern flare – Chili Cheese Tatertot Casserole. I came up with it years ago when I fell in love with the idea of tatertot casserole but not the traditional form of it.
Now, if you look up a traditional tatertot casserole, the results are kind of surprising… at least to me. I honestly have never had any other tatertot casseroles besides my own (maybe I need to and I will find they’re actually very good), but the ingredients called for in a lot of them seem like ingredients for other kinds of casseroles that are just being added to the top of tatertots. Must be good since so many are like that, but my recipe is completely different.
This recipe was created after I heard about tatertot casserole while watching a random tv show. I thought the idea was fantastic! So, my version is a complete 180 spin on what I saw on tv. Instead of the more “traditional” flavors, this recipe takes on the southwestern or Tex-Mex flavors.
This tatertot casserole delivers all of the delicious flavors of the southwest in a chili-cheese-fries (or tots!) kind of way. Not sure? Let me just assure you that this is honestly one of the best casseroles you will ever try! I am not kidding.
Start with tatertots, which begin to bake and crisp up while you prepare the other ingredients. Then, you add layers of seasoned ground beef, tomatoes with green chilies, chili beans, and lots of cheese. Heavenly! (If you are judging me about using a jar of salsa con queso… seriously try it! It is so good in this recipe! But, if you would rather make your own queso, that would be so yummy too!)
After the casserole bakes and has that delectable bubbly, browned cheese, you serve it with all your favorite taco toppings – lettuce, tomato, etc. This is certainly one meal that everyone will love! Enjoy!
Chili Cheese Tatertot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 32 oz bag frozen tatertots
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 3 tbsp taco seasoning
- ½ to 1 tsp extra spicy Mrs. Dash seasoning (optional)
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 2 cans chili beans (you can use just one can if you would like less beans)
- 1 jar salsa con queso, or about 1 to 2 cups homemade queso
- 1½ to 2 cups shredded cheese (fiesta, Mexican, or monterey jack blends recommended)
- shredded lettuce
- diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Spray a 9×13 pan with nonstick spray.
- Spread an even layer of tatertots on the prepared pan. If you end up with extra tatertots that do not fit in a single layer, just save them for another meal.
- Put the pan in the oven and set/preheat the oven to 400° with the pan in there.
- In a medium pan, brown the ground beed with the onion soup mix, taco seasoning, and Mrs. Dash on medium to medium-high heat.
- Once the ground beef is fully cooked, turn off the stove and drain any fat.
- Take the tatertots from the oven. They should be just starting to cook.
- Spread the browned ground beef over the tatertots.
- Next, spread the diced tomatoes with green chilies over the beef.
- Then, layer the chili beans over the tomato layer.
- Spread the queso over the beans, and top with the shredded cheese.
- Cover the dish and bake for about 30 minutes.
- Remove the cover and bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
- Allow the casserole to sit for a few minutes before serving.
- Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, or any other favorite taco toppings.
