Tater Tot Chili Casserole (Easy Comfort Food!)

Why settle for a standard dinner when you can combine two of the greatest comfort foods into one incredible dish? This Tater Tot Chili Casserole is a brilliant fusion of hearty, spiced chili and a crispy, golden-brown topping that everyone will love. You start with a layer of rich beef and beans, add a generous blanket of melted cheese, and finish it off with those irresistibly crunchy tots. It is a soul-warming and downright fun meal that turns a simple weeknight into a nostalgic treat for the whole family.

The beauty of a great casserole lies in its ability to be a complete, no-fuss meal that brings everyone to the table with a smile. This recipe is the absolute embodiment of that idea because it balances protein-packed nutrition with pure satisfaction. The real secret is the homemade chili base, which is surprisingly quick to prepare on the stovetop. Letting the beef, beans, and spices simmer for just a few minutes allows the flavors to meld into something truly special before the dish ever hits the oven. It is a satisfying, one-pan masterpiece that proves comfort food can be both simple and spectacular.

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Why This Tater Tot Casserole is a Weeknight Champion

You are going to be completely obsessed with how much incredible flavor is packed into this simple and fun casserole. It’s a true dinner winner. Here’s why:

• The Ultimate Comfort Food Mash-Up: It combines the best of a hearty chili and a classic tater tot casserole into one epic, incredibly satisfying dish.
• A Quick and Flavorful Homemade Chili: The from-scratch chili base comes together in minutes on the stovetop and provides a deep, savory, and perfectly spiced foundation that canned chili can’t match.
• That Irresistible Crispy Tater Tot Topping: The tater tots bake up to a perfect, crunchy, golden-brown crust that is the absolute best part of this casserole.
• A Guaranteed Family Favorite: The combination of savory chili, melted cheese, and crispy potatoes is a certified hit with both kids and adults. It’s the perfect fun and hearty meal.
• Fantastic for Leftovers and Meal Prep: This casserole reheats beautifully, making it a perfect choice for a week of delicious, easy-to-grab lunches or future dinners.

Recipe Snapshot

Your Shopping List for This Cozy Casserole

This impressive dinner comes together with a beautiful array of wholesome and powerful pantry staples.

→ For the Chili Base

• 1 lb ground beef → Extra lean (90/10 or leaner) is great for less grease.
• 1 yellow onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1 green bell pepper, 1 jalapeno → The classic, aromatic veggie base for a flavorful chili.
• Spices: 2 tbsp chili powder, ½ tbsp cumin, ½ tbsp paprika, ½ tbsp smoked paprika, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper for a deep, warm, and smoky flavor.

→ For the Topping

• 2 cups shredded cheese → A cheddar, Colby, or Mexican blend all work beautifully for a great cheese pull.
• Frozen tater tots → Enough to cover the top of your casserole dish in a single layer.

Let’s Get Cooking! Your Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to create the most delicious and comforting casserole ever? Let’s get that oven preheating!

Part 1: The Hearty Homemade Chili

1. Preheat the Oven: First things first, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Brown the Beef and Veggies: In a large pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, diced onion, minced garlic, diced bell pepper, and minced jalapeno. As it cooks, use a spoon to break up the ground beef.
3. Add the Spices: Once the meat is mostly cooked, add all your spices: cumin, paprika, smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Continue to cook for about 8-10 minutes total, until the meat is fully cooked and the onions have softened. Drain off any excess fat.
4. Simmer the Chili: Add the undrained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, drained pinto beans, and beef broth to the pan. Stir everything together, bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it cook, uncovered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld and the chili to thicken. Give it a final taste and add more salt if needed.

Part 2: Assemble and Bake to Crispy Perfection

5. Layer the Casserole: Lightly spray a 2.5-quart casserole dish with cooking spray. Pour the hot chili mixture into the bottom of the dish and spread it into an even layer.
6. Add the Toppings: Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the chili. Then, arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the cheese.
7. Bake Until Golden: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. It’s done when the tater tots are a deep golden brown and perfectly crispy, and the chili is bubbling around the edges.
8. Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. It’s fantastic topped with a dollop of sour cream or some fresh scallions!

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Tater Tot Chili Casserole

This Tater Tot Chili Casserole is the ultimate comfort food! A hearty, homemade chili with ground beef and beans is topped with a layer of gooey cheese and a perfectly crispy, golden-brown tater tot crust. A guaranteed family favorite!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 5

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 750

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Chili Base

• 1 lb. ground beef extra lean recommended
• 1 yellow onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 green bell pepper diced
• 1 jalapeno minced
• 1/2 tbsp. cumin
• 1/2 tbsp. paprika
• 1/2 tbsp. smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp. chili powder
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• to taste salt & pepper
• 1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes undrained
• 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
• 1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans drained
• 1 cup beef broth

For the Topping

• 2 cups shredded cheese cheddar, colby, or Mexican blend
• as needed Frozen tater tots enough to cover the dish

Equipment

• 2.5 qt. casserole dish
• Large Pan or Dutch Oven

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large pan or Dutch oven, add the ground beef, onion, garlic, bell pepper, and jalapeno. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking up the beef, until the meat is cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat.
2. Stir in the cumin, paprika, smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, pinto beans, and beef broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Spray a 2.5 qt. casserole dish with cooking spray, then pour in the chili mixture.
5. Top the chili with the shredded cheese, then arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the casserole is bubbly. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Simmer the Chili: Don’t skip the 20-minute simmer time for the chili base. This is crucial for thickening the sauce and developing a deep flavor.

Crispy Tots: For the best crispy tater tot topping, ensure the tots are in a single, even layer and not overcrowded.

Make Ahead: The chili filling can be made up to 2 days in advance. When ready, simply pour it into the casserole dish, top with cheese and tots, and bake.

WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for the Best Casserole Ever

These simple secrets will ensure your tater tot chili casserole is a flawless, flavorful triumph.

1. Don’t Skip Simmering the Chili. While it’s an extra 20 minutes, letting the chili simmer on the stovetop before it goes into the oven is crucial. This step allows the flavors to meld and deepen, and it thickens the chili base so your casserole isn’t watery.
2. A Single Layer of Tots is Key. For the ultimate crispy topping, make sure your tater tots are arranged in a single, even layer. If they’re piled up, the ones on the bottom will steam instead of crisping up.
3. Cheese Underneath is a Game-Changer. Placing the layer of cheese underneath the tater tots is a genius move. It creates a delicious, gooey barrier and allows the tots to get maximum exposure to the oven’s heat for ultimate crispiness.
4. Use a Dutch Oven for a True One-Pot Meal. If you have an oven-safe Dutch oven, you can make the chili and bake the casserole all in the same pot! Just make your chili, top it with cheese and tots, and pop the whole thing in the oven.
5. Customize Your Heat. The jalapeno and cayenne provide a nice, gentle warmth. If your family is sensitive to spice, you can omit the jalapeno or just remove the seeds. If you love heat, feel free to add an extra pinch of cayenne!

Keep It Cozy! Storing and Reheating

This casserole makes for fantastic leftovers, perfect for a comforting lunch the next day.

• Refrigerator: Once cooled, cover the casserole dish tightly or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: The best way to reheat and re-crisp the tater tots is in the oven or an air fryer. Place a serving on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 10-15 minutes until heated through and the tots are crunchy again. Microwaving will work but will result in softer tots.

FAQs: Your Tater Tot Casserole Questions, Answered!

Can I make this with ground turkey?

Yes, absolutely! Lean ground turkey or ground chicken are fantastic, lighter substitutes for the ground beef. The cooking process is exactly the same.

Can I make the chili ahead of time?

You can! This is a great time-saver. You can make the chili filling up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, just pour it into the casserole dish, top with cheese and tots, and you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.

What other beans can I use?

Pinto beans are great, but this recipe is very versatile. Drained and rinsed black beans or kidney beans would also be delicious substitutes.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes, easily! To make it vegetarian, simply omit the ground beef and beef broth. Use vegetable broth instead, and add an extra can of beans (like black beans) and maybe some extra veggies like corn or zucchini to make it just as hearty.

Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Comfort Food Mash-Up

There is nothing more satisfying than a hearty, cheesy, and crunchy casserole that brings a smile to everyone’s face. This Tater Tot Chili Casserole is the perfect fusion of two all-time favorite comfort foods. It’s a dish that is guaranteed to be a home run for any family dinner or casual gathering. I hope it becomes a new, beloved staple in your home. Happy Cooking!