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Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole

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Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole is an easy and super delicious casserole! Our family loves it every time we make it. Give it a try!

Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole close up on plate with green onions and green grapes.

Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole

Can y’all tell that I’ve switched into full Fall cooking/baking mode? I am so ready for cooler weather – even if I have to dream about it! 🙂 I’ve been on this chili cheese kick lately …. which I’m pretty sure is a sign that the weather should cooperate with me and be more Fall-like!

Most of y’all know that chili is one of my absolutely, positively most favorite things EVER. It seems only natural that I would find ways to eat more of it, right? This Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole is like eating, well, chili cheese fries – but in a casserole form. 

The chili cooks while the tater tots partially bake …. but if you really wanted to, you could use canned chili instead and save yourself that step – although, I highly recommend making the chili yourself. It just tastes better in my humble opinion. I did not put beans in this … but if you want to, feel free to add a can of drained and rinsed beans.

We like to have this with fruit and a salad for an easy meal. Here’s the recipe:

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Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole

Jamie Sherman
This Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole is like eating, well, chili cheese fries – but in a casserole form.
4.48 from 187 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Casserole
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 464 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bag tater tots 32 oz.
  • 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • A few shakes of Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 8 ounces water use the empty tomato sauce can to measure
  • 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded 8 oz.
  • Sour cream optional
  • Green onions sliced (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Arrange the tater tots in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook and crumble the beef with the salt, pepper and onion until the beef is no longer pink. Drain if necessary. Return the mixture to the skillet. Add the Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, tomato sauce and water to the skillet. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired consistency. (I like ours the consistency of Sloppy Joe’s, but make yours how you like it).
  • Top the baked tater tots with the chili. Sprinkle with the cheese. Return to the oven and bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through.
  • To serve, top individual portions with sour cream and green onions, if desired.

Notes

  • This is also a fun dish to use an oval casserole dish! The tots can be lined up in pretty circles.

Nutrition

Calories: 464kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 28gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 921mgPotassium: 763mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1010IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 242mgIron: 4mg

Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Originally published on September 13, 2013. Updated on April 24, 2021.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. Toodie

    Hubby would really love something like this. Tater tot casserole is one of our favorite winter comfort foods, but the addition of the chili would be so delicious. Adding this to my next recipe try.

    Reply

  23. Cynthia Landrie

    What a great looking dish! I love tater tots but have never tried using them in a casserole. I wanted to let you know that your recipe is the most clicked recipe at the most recent In and Out of the Kitchen Link party.

    I will be sharing the recipe at the next party and at the Top 10 favorites post that goes live on Monday morning. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  24. Joanne DiPalo

    The tater tots is the perfect combination with the chili. I think the boys will love this. I'm giving it a try but I'm waiting for the temps to drop at least 20 degrees more. Thanks for sharing this with Foodie Friends Friday.

    Looking forward to seeing you again soon
    Joanne

    Reply

  30. Pam

    I made this last night. It was a big hit. I added a can of rinsed black beans and a squirt of brown mustard. WONDERFUL!

    Reply

  31. Glenda McManama

    I made this chili tater tot casserole tonight. I added a can of rotel in it. My whole family loved it. We will be making it again

    Reply

  32. Lynn L

    I’ve had a standard tatertot casserole for many years using cream of mushroom, ground beef and tots. This was a nice change and definitely a winner! Love chili cheese tots and this turns it into a casserole! btw, I didn’t have an 8 oz tomato sauce but I did have a 15 oz. So instead of using an extra can of water, I used the whole 15oz can plus just enough water to rinse the can. It’s very tomatoey, but still very delish!

    Reply

  33. Marcia Osborne

    This looked like a terrific recipe, but I wanted tomatoes in it, so I added a 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes, and left out the water. I also added a shake of chipotle chili powder. It turned out great, and will be added to our favorites. I also sent the recipe to our daughter and granddaughter. They’re always looking for delicious quick and easy recipes.
    Thank you for a great recipe.

    Reply

  34. Laura Stewart

    A friend sent me this so I looked it up, pic was delicious! I made it, was delicious. I added some smoked paprika and garlic powder to the meat while cooking. Then added cilantro along with the sour cream and green onions. So so delicious!! I used a mix of colby jack and shredded some white cheddar cheese. OMG!!! Thank you so much for such a simple delicious recipe. Just mentioned my additions in case anyone wanted to try. Oh yeah I added a pinch of beef bouillon paste to the sauce. Just a pinch you don’t want it salty.

    Reply
4.48 from 187 votes (187 ratings without comment)

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Love Bakes Good Cakes delivers delicious and simple family-friendly meals. Find everything from healthier recipes to over the top desserts!