Description
This Loaded Tater Tot Nacho Casserole is a deliciously layered dish combining crispy baked tater tots, seasoned ground beef, sautéed vegetables, crispy bacon, and melted cheese. Perfect for casual dinners or game day snacks, this casserole is easy to prepare and full of comforting flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 bag (2 lbs) frozen tater tots
- 1 pound lean 90/10 ground beef
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- 6 mini sweet peppers or 1 large bell pepper, diced
- 6 strips center cut bacon, sliced
- 1/4 cup salsa
- 4 tsp taco seasoning
- 56 g (1/2 cup) shredded cheddar cheese
- 28 g (1/4 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese
- Hot sauce for topping, to taste
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt for topping, to taste
Instructions
- Bake Tater Tots: Spread the frozen tater tots evenly on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Cook Bacon: While the tater tots bake, slice the bacon strips and cook them over medium heat in a pan until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Sauté Vegetables: Using the same pan, carefully wipe out excess bacon grease, leaving a small amount behind. Add diced peppers and onions, season lightly with salt and pepper, and cook for about 1 minute until slightly softened.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add ground beef to the pan with the vegetables. Break up the meat with a spatula and cook until browned with some pink remaining.
- Season Beef Mixture: Stir in taco seasoning and salsa, mixing well. Continue to cook until the beef is fully cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Assemble Casserole: Spray a 10.5-inch cast-iron skillet with nonstick spray. Arrange a layer of tater tots on the bottom, then spread half of the beef mixture evenly on top. Sprinkle 1/4 cup cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the beef. Add the remaining tater tots in a puzzle-like formation, then top with the remaining beef, bacon pieces, and the final 1/4 cup cheddar cheese.
- Bake Casserole: Place the assembled skillet back in the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes to melt the cheeses and blend flavors.
- Cool and Serve: Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Add additional toppings like hot sauce and sour cream or Greek yogurt before serving. Scoop out portions and enjoy!
Notes
- A deep cast iron skillet makes layering easier, but you can use a baking sheet, cake pan, or small baking dish as alternatives.
- This recipe is forgiving — feel free to add other favorite nacho toppings like jalapeños, olives, or diced tomatoes.
- Everything is pre-cooked except the final melting step, so you can assemble in bowls and serve immediately without baking if desired.
- For a healthier or quicker option, try making the tater tots in an air fryer following quality air fryer tater tot recipes.
- Leftover casserole can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
