Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole is an easy and filling casserole that is perfect for busy weeknights. This easy meal features crispy tater tots, melty cheese, and chili is sure to be a hit with your whole family.
If you love tater tot casseroles and chili then you're going to want to add this recipe to your meal plan!
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If you love chili cheese fries, and you've been craving chili, you’ll want to whip up some of this chili cheese tater tot casserole. This hot dish is always a big hit at potlucks!
I love that you can easily change up the flavors to fit your family’s unique taste buds or stick to the recipe for an easy and delicious weeknight meal.
Related: Recipes Using Chili
🧂 Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make this simple casserole recipe:
- ground beef
- onion
- diced tomatoes
- chili beans
- shredded cheese
- frozen tater tots
- taco seasoning
This is meant to be a brief overview of this great recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below.
🔪 Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and cook with the onion; drain excess grease.
- Next, stir in the chili beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and seasoning until well combined.
- Spread your chili mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 9x13 casserole dish. Add one cup of shredded cheese on top.
- Add the tater tots in a single layer over the top of the casserole. Lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray and season with salt and pepper, if desired.
- Bake at 400F for 35-40 minutes.
- Remove from oven when the tater tots are crisp, and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Put back in the oven for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted.
🥄Equipment
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In addition to dry measuring cups and a large skillet, you will also need a 9x13 Baking dish to prepare this easy recipe. I like to use a wooden Spoon as well, but a rubber spatula also works.
For a list of some of my favorite items to use when cooking, and why I chose them, please visit my Kitchen Resource page.
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⭐ Tips
✔️ This easy chili cheese tater tot casserole can be made in two 8x8 or 9x9 pans as well. You could even make it in a Dutch oven if you wanted.
✔️ For freezing, prepare the casserole in an aluminum foil pan so you don't tie up your baking dishes in the freezer.
🍲 Storage
To Store: Leftover Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 4-5 days. (These are my favorite airtight containers.)
To Reheat: Microwave individual portions in 30 second intervals until heated throughout.
To Freeze: Prepare the casserole according to the instructions but do not bake or add additional cheese on top. Cover with aluminum foil and then slide the casserole into a 2-gallon freezer bag. Label and store for up to 3 months.
To Thaw: Remove from the freezer and allow to thaw overnight in the fridge.
When ready to bake, keep in mind that cold casseroles will take a little bit longer. Once the tater tots are golden brown on top and the casserole is hot throughout, top with the remaining cheese.
Leftover Chili Casserole
This recipe can also be made with leftover chili instead of the ground beef, tomato, and bean mixture. Use 5½ cups of homemade chili. Assemble and bake per the instructions in the recipe card.
Beef chili, vegan chili, turkey chili, or chicken chili all taste amazing and would work well in this alternate version of the recipe.
📖 Variations
The first time you try any new recipe we recommend that you make it just as it is written on the recipe card since that is how our Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole recipe has been tested. However, the next time you make our recipe, you might want to try one of these ideas:
This tater tot chili recipe can be made with ground pork, ground chicken, or ground turkey. It also works with any leftover shredded chicken, pulled pork, or shredded beef.
You can also use a can of chili instead of chili beans and canned tomatoes if you like.
For a spicer flavor, add 1-2 teaspoons of chili powder to the meat mixture. You could also use pepper jack cheese for additional heat.
Out of something you need? Check out our free ingredient substitutions printable!
🍴 Serving Suggestions
This hearty casserole is perfect for cooler weather! Garnish with green onions or chives, if desired. It's tasty with a dollop of sour cream on top, too. A fresh green salad or cornbread are great options for a side dish.
😋 Similar Recipes
If you love this chili cheese tater tot casserole recipe, you'll want to also try our recipe for shepherd's pie with tater tots next time.
Here are some more ground delicious casserole recipes using ground beef:
- hamburger and potato casserole
- Philly cheesesteak casserole
- big mac casserole
- Greek spaghetti casserole
- slow cooker Mexican casserole
And if you love beef casserole recipes, check out this collection of easy ground beef casseroles.
Related: Tater Tot Casserole Recipes
Related: Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Not ready to make this beef casserole recipe yet?
When you do make your own Chili Tater Tot Casserole, please come back and comment and leave me a 5-star rating below! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
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Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 big onion finely diced
- 28 oz diced tomatoes with green chilies 1 typical can, not drained
- 15 oz chili beans 1 typical can
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 32 oz bag frozen tater tots 1 typical bag
- ⅓ cup store-bought or homemade taco seasoning
- kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- non stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400F degrees.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and cook with the onion.2 lbs ground beef, 1 big onion
- When your beef is cooked, drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Next, stir in the beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and taco seasoning until well combined.28 oz diced tomatoes with green chilies, 15 oz chili beans, ⅓ cup store-bought or homemade taco seasoning
- Lightly spray your baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Spread the chili mixture into the prepared dish.non stick cooking spray
- Add one cup of shredded cheese on top.2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- On top of your casserole, spread the tater tots in one even layer over the casserole.32 oz bag frozen tater tots
- Spray your tater tots with non-stick cooking spray and season with salt as needed.kosher salt and black pepper, non stick cooking spray
- Bake in a preheated oven for 35-40 minutes.
- Remove from oven when the tater tots are crisp, and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Put back in the oven for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted.
For best results, be sure to check our Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help your delicious recipe come out perfectly.
Meal Planning
Want to add this recipe to your meal plan? Download our free printable meal plan here.
This recipe is included in Meal Plan 32 along with:
- slow cooker pork roast
- strip steak tacos
- potato soup
- spinach goat cheese salad
- chicken stuffing bake
... and more!
Be sure to check out all our meal plan ideas here.
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