Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole is an easy and super delicious casserole! Our family loves it every time we make it. Give it a try!
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Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
Can y’all tell that I’ve switched into full Fall cooking/baking mode? I am so ready for cooler weather – even if I have to dream about it! 🙂 I’ve been on this chili cheese kick lately …. which I’m pretty sure is a sign that the weather should cooperate with me and be more Fall-like!
Most of y’all know that chili is one of my absolutely, positively most favorite things EVER. It seems only natural that I would find ways to eat more of it, right? This Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole is like eating, well, chili cheese fries – but in a casserole form.
The chili cooks while the tater tots partially bake …. but if you really wanted to, you could use canned chili instead and save yourself that step – although, I highly recommend making the chili yourself. It just tastes better in my humble opinion. I did not put beans in this … but if you want to, feel free to add a can of drained and rinsed beans.
We like to have this with fruit and a salad for an easy meal. Here’s the recipe:
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Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
This Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole is like eating, well, chili cheese fries - but in a casserole form.
Ingredients
- 1 bag (32 oz.) tater tots
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- A few shakes of Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 8 ounces can of water (use the empty tomato sauce can)
- 2 cups (8 oz.) Cheddar cheese, shredded
- Sour cream (optional)
- Green onions, sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Arrange the tater tots in the bottom of a 9x13-in. baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook and crumble the beef with the salt, pepper and onion until the beef is no longer pink. Drain if necessary. Return the mixture to the skillet. Add the Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, tomato sauce and water to the skillet. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired consistency. (I like ours the consistency of Sloppy Joe's, but make yours how you like it).
- Top the baked tater tots with the chili. Sprinkle with the cheese. Return to the oven and bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through.
- To serve, top individual portions with sour cream and green onions, if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 352Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 435mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 22g
Originally published on September 13, 2013. Updated on April 24, 2021.
I'm so glad you've been on a chili cheese kick lately, Jamie- I enjoy the heck out of your chili creations! 🙂 This looks delicious!
Love, Joy
Yesterfood
This is awesome, Jamie ! I am so hungry now, fortunately on my way to start dinner ~ .. but now this looks so much better than what I'm about to make 😉
Oh my that looks delicious! Your photos are so good I can almost taste it just by looking at it!! Pinning!!!
This looks absolutely delicious, Jamie. I love anything smothered in cheese. That picture is making me want it NOW.
Hubby would really love something like this. Tater tot casserole is one of our favorite winter comfort foods, but the addition of the chili would be so delicious. Adding this to my next recipe try.
OH my!! I love tater tot casserole, I love this spin!!
I had some chili last night, and it reminded me how much I love it!
Your recipe sounds great! =)
Mmmm, now THAT's comfort food right there! Visiting from Freaking Awesome Fridays 🙂
I have never put tater tots in anything, I have to try it my kids love them on their own, this might be a winner!
This looks sooo good! I just recently discovered how amazing tater tot casserole is, and this spin on it looks just delicious. Thanks for sharing!
I already ate dinner tonight but your casserole has me hungry all over again! It looks like perfect fall comfort food. We love tater tot casseroles around here and your version looks fabulous…can't wait to try it!
Um, yeah. I'm totally making this! That looks so yummy!
This would be a huge hit at my house – my husband's favorite tater tots, chili and cheese! Pinning! Stopping by from In & Out of the Kitchen
These look SO good! And perfect for these cool nights we are having!
I love tater tots and this is a good way to make them! Visiting from Anyonita Nibbles.
Another Great Recipe~ Thanks for sharing at Tasty Tuesday~ Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
This looks so good… and absolutely sinful! 😉 Pinned! Thank you for sharing at Marvelous Mondays this week!
I love a good tater tot casserole. Yummy!
This looks so good. Love tater tot casseroles, especially chili flavored! Pinning this to try later. Thanks for sharing.
Oh man have I been craving chili lately. I think I'm coming over.
Thanks for linking!
This would be great for a cold day! Thanks for sharing at the Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop. Have a wonderful day!
Katie
That looks so delish, and so easy! Total comfort food. Found you from the Crafty Blog Stalker!
What a great looking dish! I love tater tots but have never tried using them in a casserole. I wanted to let you know that your recipe is the most clicked recipe at the most recent In and Out of the Kitchen Link party.
I will be sharing the recipe at the next party and at the Top 10 favorites post that goes live on Monday morning. Thanks for sharing.
The tater tots is the perfect combination with the chili. I think the boys will love this. I'm giving it a try but I'm waiting for the temps to drop at least 20 degrees more. Thanks for sharing this with Foodie Friends Friday.
Looking forward to seeing you again soon
Joanne
This looks sooo good! I need to add it to my recipe collection. I love chili and tator tots are awesome! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Great way to use up left over chili. Would also work well with frozen shredded hash-browns.
We really enjoyed this for dinner tonight.
This looks like the perfect fall comfort food! My family would LOVE it!!
I made this last night, and it received so many compliments! Super duper yummy, and very simple. Definitely making again 🙂
I made this last night. It was a big hit. I added a can of rinsed black beans and a squirt of brown mustard. WONDERFUL!
I made this chili tater tot casserole tonight. I added a can of rotel in it. My whole family loved it. We will be making it again
I’ve had a standard tatertot casserole for many years using cream of mushroom, ground beef and tots. This was a nice change and definitely a winner! Love chili cheese tots and this turns it into a casserole! btw, I didn’t have an 8 oz tomato sauce but I did have a 15 oz. So instead of using an extra can of water, I used the whole 15oz can plus just enough water to rinse the can. It’s very tomatoey, but still very delish!