Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
If you’re looking for a dinner that’s equal parts comfort food and fiesta, this Mexican Tater Tot Casserole is it! It’s got all the bold, zesty flavors of tacos—seasoned ground beef, sweet peppers, and gooey queso—topped with crispy, golden Tater Tots. And let’s be honest, any meal that involves Tater Tots is already a win in my book!
This is the kind of easy, crowd-pleasing meal that disappears fast. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family on a busy weeknight or just craving something cheesy and satisfying, this casserole checks all the boxes. Plus, it’s a breeze to throw together—just a few simple steps, one pan for cooking, and straight into the oven it goes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: Brown the beef, mix in the seasoning, layer everything in a casserole dish, and bake. Dinner doesn’t get much simpler!
- Family-Friendly: Packed with cheesy, taco-inspired flavors that both kids and adults will love. Plus, who can resist crispy Tater Tots?
- Great for Busy Nights: With minimal prep and hands-off baking time, this is a perfect go-to recipe for those nights when you need dinner on the table fast.
- Full of Flavor: Taco-seasoned beef, melty queso, and sharp cheddar cheese come together for the ultimate Tex-Mex-inspired comfort food.
- Customizable: Want to spice it up? Add some jalapeños. Prefer a little crunch? Toss in some crushed tortilla chips on top. You can easily make it your own.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Make it ahead of time and reheat leftovers for an easy lunch or dinner later in the week.
Ingredients
The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.
- Lean ground beef: The hearty base of the casserole, adding richness and protein.
- Sweet onion: Brings a mild sweetness and depth of flavor to the dish.
- Red, orange, and yellow bell peppers: Add color, crunch, and a touch of natural sweetness.
- Taco seasoning: Packs in bold, zesty Mexican-inspired flavor with minimal effort. You can also use homemade taco seasoning.
- Queso: A creamy, cheesy layer that makes every bite extra delicious. Try my homemade queso.
- Frozen Tater Tots: The crispy, golden topping adds texture and fun to the dish.
- Cheddar cheese: Melted on top for the perfect finishing touch of gooey, cheesy goodness.
How to Make Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
- Step One: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, peppers, and ground beef. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onions and peppers are softened, about 7 to 8 minutes. Stir in taco seasoning.
- Step Two: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a large casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Step Three: Spread the beef mixture evenly on the bottom. Pour queso on top and spread to cover the beef mixture. Cover with Tater Tots.
- Step Four: Bake for 40 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve hot.
What to Serve With It
- Fresh Green Salad: A simple side salad with crisp lettuce, tomatoes, and a zesty lime vinaigrette balances the richness of the casserole.
- Mexican Rice: A classic side that pairs perfectly with the taco flavors in the dish. Try cilantro lime rice for a fresh twist!
- Refried Beans or Black Beans: A protein-packed side that adds even more Tex-Mex goodness to your meal.
- Guacamole & Salsa: Serve with a side of homemade guacamole, pico de gallo, or a chunky salsa for extra flavor.
- Sour Cream: A dollop of sour cream on top adds a cool, creamy contrast to the cheesy, spicy flavors.
- Tortilla Chips: Great for scooping up any extra queso and crumbled on top for added crunch.
- Corn on the Cob: Grilled or roasted corn makes a sweet and savory side that complements the casserole.
Variations and Substitutions
- Switch Up the Protein: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles for a lighter option.
- Make It Spicier: Add diced jalapeños and a dash of hot sauce, or use a spicy taco seasoning for an extra kick.
- Try a Different Cheese: Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend would all work beautifully.
- Use a Different Sauce: Instead of queso, try enchilada sauce, a creamy salsa con queso, or even a mix of sour cream and shredded cheese for a different texture.
- Add More Veggies: Stir in corn, black beans, or diced tomatoes for extra flavor and texture.
- Make It a One-Pan Meal: Brown the beef in an oven-safe skillet, layer everything on top, and bake—no need for a casserole dish!
- Crispier Tots: For extra crunch, bake the Tater Tots on a separate sheet pan first, then add them to the casserole before baking.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate: Let the casserole cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave, or reheat the whole casserole in a 350°F oven for about 15–20 minutes until heated through. If the top looks dry, cover with foil while reheating.
- Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the fully cooked casserole in a freezer-safe dish for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes until hot and bubbly.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole (without baking), cover tightly, and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. When ready, bake as directed—just add a few extra minutes if it’s cold from the fridge.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Drain Any Excess Grease: If your beef releases a lot of fat, drain it before adding the taco seasoning to keep the casserole from getting too oily.
- Arrange Tater Tots in a Single Layer: This helps them crisp up nicely in the oven instead of getting soggy. If you want them extra crispy, bake them separately first, then add them to the casserole.
- Use Freshly Shredded Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can affect melting. Shredding your own cheese makes it melt smoother and taste better.
- Let It Rest Before Serving: After baking, allow the casserole to sit for about 5 minutes. This helps it set up and makes it easier to scoop.
Tater Tot Casserole Recipes
- Tater Tot Casserole
- Lasagna Tater Tot Casserole
- Pizza Tater Tot Casserole
- Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
- Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
- Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
- Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
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Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
This easy Mexican Tater Tot Casserole is loaded with seasoned beef, melty queso, crispy Tater Tots, and gooey cheddar cheese. A family-friendly dinner ready in no time!
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Video
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 sweet onion chopped
- 1 red pepper chopped
- 1 orange pepper chopped
- 1 yellow pepper chopped
- 1 package taco seasoning
- 1 jar queso 394 ml jar
- ¾ of a 1 kg package of frozen Tater Tots
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
Toppings
- black olives
- chopped tomatoes
- sliced green onions
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, peppers and ground beef. Cook until beef is no longer pink and onions and peppers are softened, about 7 to 8 minutes. Stir in taco seasoning.
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a large casserole dish with cooking spray. Spread the beef mixture on the bottom evenly. Pour queso on top and spread to cover beef mixture. Cover with Tater Tots. Bake for 40 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake an additional 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Add toppings if desired. Serve hot.
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Nutrition
Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 227kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 658mg | Potassium: 471mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2019IU | Vitamin C: 93mg | Calcium: 157mg | Iron: 3mg
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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This was very good, but too spicy for my family. I would use a cheese sauce instead of quest next time.
Just made a batch to freeze for lunches, and was wondering how long you think it’d be good frozen. Thanks! It’s very good, or, at least, the bite I snuck was.
Oh nice! I think at least three months!
It’s Mexican cheese in a jar like this https://www.amazon.com/Tostitos-Salsa-Queso-Medium-Ounce/dp/B000UENHBU/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1525784164&sr=8-1&keywords=queso
i have not written a comment before but here goes. love these recipes and looking for some quick ones. yours sounds great and so quick to put together. i want to make one- maybe tonight. one question i have— what is queso? never have heard of it thanks . got to run to store and get the things to make this tonight. we love Mexican food. selah
If you love Mexican food, how have you never heard of queso?
Why not just answer the question?!? Why be rude?!? Lol Queso is a cheese dip that’s sold in a small jar in the sausa isle or on the chip isle
Made this with cauliflower tater tots and it was amazing!!!
I melted Velveeta cheese with a cup of milk in microwave then added can of rotell instead of using tostitos queso jar… I also generously added mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top of tots at the end of the bake and threw in for another 5. It all was good.
You call it spicy, but there is nothing in it that is spicy, so I’m confused. Thanks!
Do you pre-cook the tater tots or put them in frozen?
No, put them in frozen.
I made this for supper tonight an it’s sooo good, my husband who is a picky eater love it too!!!
I assumed white queso when I picked up the ingredients at the store but as I watched the video it showed yellow queso. Have you tried it with the white queso? How much difference would it make. Maybe do an edit to ingredient list and specify which kind to use
I used yellow because it’s all my store had, but I don’t think it would matter much!
I love Mexican food, but Ive never thought of doing something with tater tots. This looks fabulous!
Help for the hash browns you can make your own alot cheaper #5 potatoes wash dry then use a grader wash the starch off pat dry then devide then in freezer bags. You have then when ever you need them and you have about 10 bags of for the cost of 1.
Sounds so good! This would be a hit with my kids. By the way, if you have a Loblaws in your area, they have the shredded hash browns. They aren’t in the frozen foods like you might think. They have bags of them over in the deli area – like where they have the premade mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, shepherd’s pie, and that sort of stuff. The brand I buy is Reser’s.
I’m making this tonight, but I thought I had tatertots but I had to substitute for French fries. And I also added cambeles spicy cheese and diced tomatoes to it with jolipinois and green bell peppers and onions. I hope it turns out with the French fries. Thanks for the pin.
Can this be made in a crockpot? My son is in the Air Force and he’s got a crockpot and a small kitchen area in his room. He’s looking for budget crockpot recipes and loves Mexican food and tater for chicken casserole.
Thx!
Yes, I would cook it on low for 3 to 5 hours in the crockpot!
What kind of queso? The Tostitos brand? Thank you
Any brand should be fine, but that’s the one I used.
I made this for dinner tonight and it was absolutely OUTSTANDING! A keeper for sure!
I’ve uses this recipe about 3 times now and it’s amazing! My husband loves it. Quick question: What method do you use to reheat? I love the crisp of the tots after I cook it but if I reheat in the microwave the tots are soggy. Is that how you reheat? Or does your family eat it all in one night?
I’m glad you enjoy it! I reheat in the microwave usually and do notice the tater tots are a little mushier. I’m not sure how to avoid that unfortunately.
Thanks,I can’t wait to try this it looks sinfully delicious!!
This is one of mine & my husband favorite recipe!