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chili cheese tater tot casserole

Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole

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One dish comfort food with canned chili, crispy tater tots, and melted cheddar cheese. Easy family dinner ready in 40 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 445
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef Optional but adds heartiness
  • 1 small onion, diced Yellow or white onion
  • 2 cans chili with beans (15 oz each) Any brand works
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder For seasoning beef
  • ½ teaspoon salt Adjust to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper For seasoning
  • 32 ounces frozen tater tots One standard bag
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese More if desired
  • sour cream Optional for serving
  • green onions Optional for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 inch baking dish For assembling casserole
  • 1 large skillet For browning beef
  • 1 Wooden Spoon To break up beef
  • 1 Cooking spray To grease pan

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F and spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat, add ground beef and diced onion, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes while breaking beef into crumbles until no pink remains.
  3. Drain excess fat from the skillet and season beef with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  4. Add canned chili to the cooked beef and stir everything together until well combined and heated through.
  5. Pour the chili mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
  6. Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the chili mixture, covering the entire surface and fitting them close together.
  7. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over the tater tots to cover completely.
  8. Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes until tater tots are golden brown and crispy on top and cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the chili layer to set slightly.
  10. Serve hot with sour cream, green onions, or jalapeños on top if desired.
    serving chili cheese tater tot casserole

Nutrition

Serving: 320gCalories: 445kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 22gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 920mgPotassium: 520mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 620IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 215mgIron: 3.5mg

Notes

The most important step is baking uncovered so the tater tots get golden and crispy. I covered mine with foil the first time and the tots stayed soggy and pale. Bake completely uncovered and you'll get that perfect crispy top everyone loves.

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