Description
Comfort meets zest in this Mexican Tater Tot Casserole, blending hearty potatoes with spicy southwestern flavors. Crispy tots, melted cheese, and bold seasonings create a satisfying meal perfect for family gatherings and quick dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 32 oz (907 g) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Seasoning and Beans:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
Vegetables and Tomatoes:
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) corn, drained
- 1 can (10 oz / 284 g) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, ensuring it’s thoroughly cooked and crumbled.
- Eliminate excess grease from the meat, then infuse with zesty taco seasoning and a splash of water, allowing the mixture to simmer and thicken.
- Transfer the seasoned beef to the slow cooker as the foundational layer of the casserole.
- Distribute black beans, sweet corn kernels, and vibrant diced tomatoes evenly across the beef base.
- Create a harmonious cheese blend by combining cheddar and Monterey Jack, then generously sprinkle half of the mixture over the vegetable and meat layer.
- Meticulously arrange tater tots in a uniform, overlapping pattern to completely cover the casserole’s surface.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the dish to gently cook on low temperature for approximately 4 hours or on high for 2 hours.
- During the final 15 minutes of cooking, scatter the remaining cheese blend atop the golden tater tots.
- Continue cooking until the cheese melts into a luxurious, bubbling topping.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro for a burst of herbal freshness and serve piping hot.
Notes
- Achieve perfectly browned beef by ensuring the skillet is hot before adding meat, preventing steaming and promoting a flavorful caramelized exterior.
- Enhance protein variety by substituting ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for dietary preferences or healthier alternatives.
- Control sodium intake by using low-sodium taco seasoning or creating a homemade blend with fresh spices, reducing processed ingredient consumption.
- Maximize
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg