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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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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I’ve made this many times, and it’s always delicious. I love the way the tater tots absorb some of the spicy liquid, and it all tastes so good together!
Mucho Goodo
Why not just say
Use a 28 oz bag of tater tots. (I’d probably use a 32 oz bag,)?
Why not add a can of Hat h chilies, top?
And I woukd suggest Mexican 4 Cheese Blend rather than cheddar
We love tater tots and thought these were delicious. I wasn’t sure about using the queso, but it turned out to be perfect. Definitely one I’ll be making again.
I made this on May 17th, 2023 for my brother who is dealing with cancer family for supper, with garlic bread and brownies for dessert, they loved it! I am making it again today May 18th for my daughter’s family (all men) for supper. Easy to prepare and really yummy.
HI STACIE, WHAT IS QUESO SAUCE? WHAT CAN YOU USE INSTEAD?
CANADA DOESN’T HAVE MANY MEXICAN RECIPE STUFF. I HAVE LOOKED BEFORE & CAN’T FIND THESE PRODUCTS. THANK YOU, GAIL WILSON
I’ve seen it at Walmart and Metro here in Ontario. This is what it looks like: https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/Tostitos-Salsa-Con-Queso/6000159563128 You could also use cheez whiz that you’ve melted and add some salsa in it to give it some spice.
I have fixed this several times. It’s really good. I use the round tater tots and also throw in a can of green chilis. Add a package of Uncle Ben’s Spanish rice and a salad you have a great meal. Thanks for sharing.
why 40 minutes when the tator tot package says 20-30?
To get crispy tater tots and ensure the other ingredients in the casserole are cooked, it does take the 45 minutes.
I make this recipe weekly and absolutely love it! My family loves it as well, my 4 year old requests it for dinner 🙂
I would love to feature this recipe in a blog post with a link to your website, with your permission of course ♡
Thank you for coming up with this amazing recipe!
Happy easter!
I’m glad you liked it! I would love for you to link to the recipe on your blog. Thank you!
This is a huge hit in our house. I’ve got two picky eaters and they always ask for seconds when I make this. Thanks for such a great family that the kids love.
When you add the taco seasoning, do you add the water to it as per the instructions on the packet?
I just use the taco seasoning by itself with no water.
What kind of queso? In Meijer there are tostitos dip salsa con queso medium, tostitos dip queso blanco, meijer white salsa con queso, on the border salsa con queso, chi chi’s salsa con queso, herdez queso blanco and so on.
Oh wow lucky! I think we only have one variety here. I used Salsa Con Queso Medium. Any one of them would be fine though!
If made ahead and frozen, do you thaw prior to cooking and if so, how long do you cook?
Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Then, to reheat, bake at 350F in the oven for about 20 to 30 minutes.
This was a HUGE hit with my whole family as well as at the office for Cinco de Mayo! This should be illegal!
I’ve made this dish twice now and each time my family loved it. The only thing I do differently is leave out the onions, I’m allergic, but otherwise it’s the perfect meal for a family of five
1 kg of tator tots? You mean one lb?
It’s this size of bag https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/great-value-tater-puffs/6000001838098
This sounds so good. I am going to make it tonight. I’m going to add sliced black olives and sliced jalapeño peppers on top of the qeso dip
Could not find hashbrowns?!? Potato + grater!
My husband really liked it. Next time I’m adding jalapeno and putting chips on top when serving. Thank u for the recipe!