A fun and homey meal the whole family will love, this easy Taco Tater Tot Casserole is low on fuss and clean-up. Add it to your menu this week!
For more tasty, taco-inspired meals, check out my Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, Taco Cornbread Bake, and Healthier Taco Mac and Cheese.
This blog post was originally published on June 17, 2020. It was updated with new photos, blog post notes, and recipe refinements on March 7, 2024.
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Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Taco Tater Casserole Recipe
- Ingredients
- Ingredient Substitutions
- How To Make This Tater Tot Taco Casserole
- Recipe Pro-Tips
- Recipe Variations
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage Directions
- FAQs
- Save This Recipe for Later on Pinterest
- Tools Needed For This Recipe:
- More Delicious Mexican-Inspired Recipes:
Tater tots always throw me back to my elementary school cafeteria days – simple and satisfying food that I would get so excited about as I pulled through the line with my lunch tray. Crunchy on the outside, warm and steamy on the inside, and full of that savory flavor, they always hit the spot for kids and adults alike.
Looking for a way to incorporate them into a more complete meal, I asked myself, what could be better than a taco casserole? A taco casserole with tater tots! Prepared entirely in a single cast-iron skillet, this is a straightforward one-pot dinner that can be served on its own or enhanced with classic taco toppings.
It’s filling but not enough to send you into a food coma, and -- thanks to lean ground meat, lighter cheese, and a lower-sodium taco seasoning -- a healthier comfort food option! But most importantly, it's the kind of good that I'm sure I'll be craving 20 years from now. I'm thinking that's due to either the legacy of Taco Tuesday or the tater tot, but I'll leave it up to you to decide!
Why You’ll Love This Taco Tater Casserole Recipe
- Quick & Easy. With only 5 minutes of prep time, this dish is out of the oven and ready to enjoy in under an hour, able to be whipped up faster than most casseroles. Everything being cooked in a single pan also saves time and energy on cleanup.
- Low fuss & budget-friendly. You’ll likely already have most of the ingredients for this recipe in your kitchen, and anything you still need will be easy to find at your nearest grocery store.
- Crowd pleaser. The blend of tater tots and taco filling combines two quintessential comfort foods in one, sure to be a hit with the entire family and perfect for entertaining. It’s also naturally gluten-free, and can easily be made vegetarian or vegan!
Ingredients
- Taco seasoning: This recipe uses a blend of common spices like garlic powder, ground cumin, and smoked paprika to create the perfect taco seasoning mix, with the option to add cayenne pepper for an extra kick. If you prefer, you can also substitute a packet of store-bought taco seasoning, too.
- Ground turkey: A breast and leg meat ground turkey combo works the best for this taco tot casserole, as it adds the most flavor and moisture.
- Yellow or white onion: Yellow onions give the dish a stronger savory flavor, while white onions are more mild and slightly sweeter.
- Sweet pepper: Red, yellow, or orange peppers add the perfect amount of sweetness to complement the spices.
- Salsa: Your favorite bottled salsa is perfect for this casserole! Choose the level of heat that you and your family prefer. Pineapple or peach salsa is also delicious in this recipe.
- Canned black beans or pinto beans: Black beans tend to hold their shape more, while pinto beans will add a creamier texture and taste.
- Reduced-fat shredded Mexican cheese blend: Keeps the recipe gooey and cheesy, but not too heavy that you won’t want to come back for seconds.
- Taco toppings: Your favorite taco toppings like sour cream, green chiles, tomatoes, or cilantro will pair perfectly with this tater tot casserole.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Cheese: A full-fat Mexican cheese blend or shredded sharp cheddar cheese blend can both work in place of the reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend, as can a dairy-free shredded cheese alternative for a vegan option.
- Meat: Ground beef or a plant-based ground meat substitute will both work in place of ground turkey.
- Salsa: Enchilada sauce can step in for the salsa in a pinch, just keep in mind that it will change the flavor profile of the dish.
- Canned beans: Kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and canned corn can all easily substitute for black beans or pinto beans.
How To Make This Tater Tot Taco Casserole
For the complete recipe and measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1: Preheat the oven and mix together the homemade taco seasoning.
Step 2: Sauté the onions and peppers in olive oil in a cast-iron skillet.
Step 3: Add the turkey and seasonings to the onions and peppers and cook until the turkey has cooked through and crumbled.
Step 4: Drain the beans. Add beans and salsa to the turkey mixture and bring to a simmer, cooking until thickened.
Step 5: Remove the pan from the heat. Sprinkle cheese on top and evenly place the tater tots on top of the layer of cheese.
Step 6: Bake the casserole until the cheese is melted and golden brown around the edges. Enjoy hot with your favorite taco toppings!
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Prepare all the ingredients before you start cooking. This taco tater tot hotdish moves quickly, so it's best to have all the ingredients ready as you need them.
- Don't drain the meat. Turkey is lean and generally does not need to be drained. The seasonings will also drain out with the meat juices. If you substitute higher ground beef, cook it with the onions and peppers first, drain it, and then add the seasonings in with the salsa and beans.
- Bake the casserole uncovered: This helps the tater tots to crisp up and allows the cheese to melt and turn golden brown.
Recipe Variations
- Gluten-free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but double-check the tater tot ingredients to make sure.
- Vegetarian: Simply substitute a ground beef alternative for the turkey!
- Dairy-free: Use dairy-free cheddar cheese in place of the traditional shredded cheese blend – some brands even have a dedicated Mexican blend.
- Vegan: Substitute a meat alternative for the turkey and a dairy-free (or nut-based) cheddar cheese for the traditional cheese.
Serving Suggestions
This casserole is very filling on its own, though it can be nice to round your meal out with a few lighter sides. I recommend a light green salad with ranch dressing, air-fried green beans, grilled asparagus, or some roasted broccoli.
Drink-wise, a glass of sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio will pair well with this casserole dish, as will a bottle of Mexican lager beer (like Dos Equis, Pacifico, or Corona).
Storage Directions
- Refrigeration: Leftovers last covered in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
- Freezing: Leftovers do not freeze well.
- Reheating: Reheat individual servings of the casserole in a toaster oven on low for 2-3 minutes or the oven at 300 for 5-6 minutes, or until warmed through and the tater tots re-crisp.
FAQs
Can you use premade taco seasoning instead of homemade?
Yes, you certainly can use premade taco seasoning instead of homemade in this recipe. Just substitute 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons of your favorite store-bought taco seasoning and follow the rest of the recipe as directed!
Can you use sweet potato tater tots in this recipe?
Yes, you most definitely can use sweet potato tater tots in this recipe. Sweet potato pairs very well with Mexican seasonings!
Can you make this recipe without a cast-iron skillet?
Yes, you can easily make this recipe without a cast-iron skillet! Just cook up the turkey and beans in a large non-stick pan and then pour them into a greased 8 x 13" baking dish before layering the cheese and tater tots on top.
Bake the casserole according to the recipe directions, or until the cheese is melted and turning golden brown around the edges and the tater tots are crispy!
Save This Recipe for Later on Pinterest
Tools Needed For This Recipe:
- Cutting board
- Chef Knife (such an amazing deal for a great knife!)
- Small mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons & cups
- 12" cast-iron skillet
- Heat-safe spatula or turner
More Delicious Mexican-Inspired Recipes:
- Southwest Chicken with Black Bean Sauce
- Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
- Mexican Chicken Marinade
- Black Bean Breakfast Enchiladas
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
- Peach Avocado Salsa
Taco Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
Homemade Taco Seasoning:
- 1 ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- ⅛-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
Tater Tot Casserole:
- 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ large white or yellow onion diced
- 1 large sweet pepper red, orange, or yellow, seeded and diced
- 1 pound ground turkey preferably 90-93% lean
- 1 cup salsa
- 1, 15 oz. can black beans or pinto beans drained and rinsed
- 2 cups reduced-fat shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 2 ½ cups frozen tater tots
- Taco toppings: sour cream, extra cheese, cilantro, black olives, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a small bowl combine the chili powder, garlic powder, salt, onion powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a 12" cast iron or another non-stick skillet over medium or medium-high heat, or until the oil sputters when flicked with water.
- Add the onion and sweet pepper to the skillet and saute for 4 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds or so, or until the onions are translucent and the peppers are softening.
- Add the turkey and bowl of seasonings to the onions and peppers and saute for 4-5 minutes, stirring and breaking up the turkey as you cook, or until the turkey is crumbled and cooked through and the mixture is fragrant.
- Add the salsa and drained beans to the turkey mixture and stir until combined. Bring the ingredients to a boil and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring every 1-2 minutes, or until the liquid has evaporated and the mixture is thickened.
- Remove the pan from the heat. If using a cast-iron skillet, sprinkle the cheese evenly over the turkey and then scatter the tater tots evenly on top (there should be about 1" gaps between them). If using a non-stick or non-oven safe skillet, pour the turkey into a greased 8 x 13" baking dish and sprinkle evenly with cheese and then tater tots.
- Bake the casserole for 22-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tater tots are crispy. Remove from the oven and serve hot with your favorite taco toppings!
Notes
- Storing: Leftovers can be covered and refrigerated for 4-5 days.
- Freezing: Leftovers do not freeze well.
- Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but you may want to double-check the tater tots for wheat ingredients.
- Note: To make this recipe without a cast-iron skillet, cook up the turkey and beans in a large non-stick skillet and then pour them into a greased 8 x 13" pan before layering the cheese and tater tots on top. Bake as directed.
This recipe was good, but the meat started to burn from being in the oven at such a hot temperature after what little liquid that was in the skillet evaporated.
I would suggest adding water in the skillet like you would if making tacos, but don't continue cooking the meat on the stove top after that. Add the cheese and tots, then maybe that'll help this recipe be even better 🙂
Hi, Ashley!
Thanks for the feedback. I've never personally had this issue, nor have any other readers reported it. Thanks for sharing it and your solution! I may be worth checking your oven temperature, as that may have contributed to it drying out.
Thank you!
Chelsea
Yum! Great alternative to the traditional tator tot casserole. I’ve made it a few times and it’s great! This time I used half the meat and added an extra can of pinto beans.
Hi Alissa!
Thanks so much for reviewing and sharing, I am so glad to hear that you liked it!
Best,
Chelsea
Our family loved this! My 2 yo is not a fan of beans and he was eating it all. We nixed the chili powder to ease the spice and it was perfect. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Delicious!! My family and I loved this. I swapped corn for the beans and it came out great too. Thank you for sharing.