Description
Crispy Tot Chili Casserole is a hearty and comforting American dish featuring a flavorful chili base topped with golden, crispy tater tots and melted cheddar cheese. This easy-to-make casserole combines seasoned ground beef or turkey with chili beans, tomatoes, and spices, baked until bubbly and perfect for a family dinner or cozy night in.
Ingredients
Scale
Chili Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) can chili beans with sauce
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 1 (28-ounce) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Optional Toppings
- Chopped green onions
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare it for baking the casserole.
- Cook Meat and Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef or turkey along with diced onion and minced garlic until the meat is browned and the onion becomes soft, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary to keep the dish from being too oily.
- Prepare Chili Base: Stir in chili beans with sauce, drained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper into the meat mixture. Let it simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes so the flavors can meld together beautifully.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the prepared chili mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Then, arrange the frozen tater tots evenly on top of the chili layer, ensuring full coverage for a crispy topping.
- Bake Tater Tots: Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the crispy tots. Return the dish to the oven for an additional 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking, then serve with optional toppings like chopped green onions and sour cream to add freshness and creaminess.
Notes
- You can substitute leftover chili instead of making fresh to save time.
- For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce into the chili mixture while simmering.
- To make a gluten-free version, verify that all canned ingredients and seasonings are gluten-free certified.
