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Simple Taco Tot Casserole

Name: Simple Taco Tot Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground beef; 5 15 ounce cans black beans (or about 6 cups cooked); 1 15 ounce can red enchilada sauce; 1 cup your favorite red salsa; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1 tablespoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1/2-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (Depending on how spicy you like it); 1 teaspoon black pepper; salt (Measurement based on taste. This will depend on how salty your enchilada sauce is. ); 1 cup grated pepper jack cheese; 4-6 cups tater tots of choice; toppings of choice (I used lettuce, red onions, olives, cilantro, tomatoes, avocados, and sour cream. This is a personal preference.)

posted on : March 1, 2021 posted by : Amy 0 Comment

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Simple Taco Tot Casserole. If I am being perfectly honest, I have not had a tater tot casserole since I was a little kid. Nothing against them, I just haven’t made one as an adult?? Not sure why, because I freaking love tots! They always remind me of Napoleon Dynamite. Have you seen this movie? If not, you should check it out!

Beauty In Simplicity

The beauty of this dish is just how simple it is! With only a few ingredients that you probably already have on hand, this dish will be ready in no time. This is a ground beef-based dish, if you aren’t a meat-eater, just use all black beans. Start by browning your beef. I used ground beef from some of my favorite ranchers- Bingham Beef. They ship nationwide!

ground beef cooking in a stainless steel pan

Brown the beef and add in your black beans.

Black beans and ground beef cooking in a stainless steel skillet

A lot of the flavor in this dish come from the enchilada sauce and salsa used. I told you, this is so simple!

woman pouring enchilada sauce into taco mixture

Assembling The Simple Taco Tot Casserole

Now the meat is cooked, it is time to assemble. Place your seasoned meat and bean dish in a 9×13 dish. Sprinkle with a little pepper jack cheese. This is optional, but really good.

woman sprinkling pepper jack cheese on a taco tot casserole

Next, line the top with tater tots. Don’t skimp here. Make sure those babies are close together.

woman adding tater tots to the top of a casserole in a glass dish

The Finished Simple Taco Tot Casserole

Bake until it is hot and bubbly. This won’t take long as the filling is already hot and ready to go. It is a matter of just cooking the tots on top.

Top with your favorite taco toppings. I started with a good base of lettuce and red onions.

lettuce and red onions on tater tot casserole

Tomatoes are a must. Well, for me anyway. I know it evokes some strong feeling in people who dislike tomatoes.

Last is olives, cilantro, and avocados. I added sour cream on the table for serving as well. Toppins are all based on preferences of course, so use what you like.

Simple Taco Tot Casserole layered with lettuce, olives, avocadoes. tomatoes and cilantro

Using The Simple Taco Tot Casserole For Meal Prep

A really great thing about this casserole is it is perfect for meal prep. You can easily make this dish ahead of time. It holds well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Then cook when you are ready. You can also make this ahead of time and freeze. Then, bring to room temp and bake. If you are planning on freezing I would say don’t add in the cheese. I think it bakes a little weird after being frozen. That might just be me though?

Drink Options

Summertime Sangria would pair perfectly with this dish!
Or even a Cherry Limeade!
Lemonade is also a really good option.
Another lemonade variation? How about a Blueberry Lemonade?

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