Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole Recipe (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Easy beef enchilada tator tot casserole recipe is a family favorite. You get all the flavor of easy beef enchiladas without all the work! This is one amazing tator tot casserole that your entire family is going to love.

Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole Recipe (1)

Easy Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole Recipe:

Mexican food is one of my favorite types of meals. Plus we are big fans of tator tots, so I decided to combine two of my favorite foods and make this Easy Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole.

The combination of the taco seasoning mixed the ground beef and cheese and then topped with tator tots, makes this an very tasty meal. If you love myCheeseburger Tator Tot Casserole Recipethen you are going to go crazy over this easy recipe.

When you think of enchilada’s you think about ground beef or chicken wrapped in a flour tortilla or corn tortillas or putting tortillas on top. But we decided that it is always good to change things up, so tator tots it was. We are so happy with this change.

You may also love this Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe.

Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole Recipe (2)

The right casserole dish!

Now before you start, make sure you have a nice9×13 casserole dish. You can always make it in a smaller pan and freeze the other half.

Or if you want to make clean up a breeze try using one of thesefoil pans. They are great because you just throw them away when you are done. We use them often so help out on those crazy busy nights.

Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole Recipe (3)

Easy beef enchiladas in a fun tator tot casserole!

We love making casseroles. Everything is cooked together and can always be served by itself or with some tasty sides. This beef enchilada casserole was so fun to make and even my daughter was impressed how easy and fun this casserole was to put together.

I started layering the casserole with ground beef that was mixed with the taco seasoning, rotel and enchilada sauce. Then I topped the beef mixture with cheese and then the tator tots.

What made this very easy was I already had the ground beef frozen, so all I had to do was heat it up and dinner was in the oven in no time.

Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole Recipe (4)

Ingredients:

  • Ground Beef
  • Rotel
  • Taco Seasoning
  • Garlic Salt
  • Red Enchilada Sauce
  • Tator Tots
  • Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese

How to make Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole recipe:

  • Preheat oven – Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease your 9×13 pan.
  • Brown the ground beef – Cook your ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. When I am making a meal with ground beef, I like to double the amount of meat I am browning so I can freeze for later. You can add in some onion and cook with the meat.
  • Mix in Seasoning – Stir in the taco seasoning, garlic salt, and the can of Rotel.
  • Add in Sauce – Mix in a can of Red Enchilada sauce. Did you know that you can make Homemade Enchilada Sauce. It is so easy to make. Get the recipe here.
Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole Recipe (5)
  • Place in baking dish – After the meat is cooked and mixed with the seasoning and sauces, place at the bottom of the greased 9×13 baking pan.
  • Top with cheese – Spread out about a cup of cheese over the ground beef. A couple of my kids do not like a lot of cheese. You can definitely top one half that is light on the cheese. That is what we do.
Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole Recipe (6)
  • Top with Tots – Place one layer of tator tots over the casserole. My daughter helped with this part. We used Frozen Tator Tots. So you do not need to cook them before baking this casserole.
  • Time to Bake – Baked at 375 degrees for 25 minutes uncovered.
Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole Recipe (7)
  • Top with Cheese – Sprinkle with the Monterey Jack cheese and put back in the oven until melted.
  • Serve and Enjoy – Serve immediately with your favorite enchilada toppings.
  • Add your favorite Toppings – We love green onions, sour cream and tomatoes.

What to serve with Tator Tot Casserole:

We like to keep things simple around my house. When serving this meal here are some of the easy sides that we like:

  • A Big Green Salad
  • Easy Crock Pot Refried Beans
  • The Best Crock Pot White Cheese Dip
  • A great way to get my family to eat my vegetables is to make a vegetable tray. When I make a heavy meal like this casserole, I like to have a vegetable tray.

Tator Tot Topping Ideas:

  • Sour Cream
  • Green Onions
  • Salsa
  • Tomatoes
  • Cilantro
Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole Recipe (8)

Variation Ideas:

We love recipes that you add some variation too. This recipe is great because there are many things to add to this recipe.

  • Toss in some corn
  • Mix in some black beans
  • You can serve over rice for a beef enchilada tator tot bowl
  • Add in some jalapeno’s for a little spice to the casserole

How to Freeze Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole:

In case you love freezer cooking like me you are going to love that this tator tot casserole recipe is completely freezer friendly.

You simply make the casserole as directed. Go ahead and add the Monterey Jack cheese on top before cooking. Then instead of cooking, cover with foil and freeze.

How to store:

If you have leftovers that are going to be eaten within a few days, then I would store in the refrigerator. Just place in an airtight container and it will be good for 3-5 days.

This casserole makes the perfect lunch the next day.

How to reheat Tator Tot Casserole:

When you are ready to cook, allow it to thaw completely. Then baked for 30 minutes until heated and the cheese is melted.

If you do not want to thaw it, cook it covered for 1 hour and then uncover and cook for 20 minutes. It is that easy

Crowd Pleaser!

We love having our friends and family over for the big game or just to hang out. We usually serve a big pot of chili or soup. But I had all the ingredients needed for the Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole.

Since I already had the ground beef cooked, it was so easy to make this casserole. Everyone could put their favorite toppings on their casserole and everyone loved the change.

So next time you need a meal that has easy ingredients and that makes a lot, I would recommend this casserole. You can’t go wrong with a Mexican Casserole mixed with some crispy tator tots.

Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole Recipe (10)

Print the recipe below:

Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole Recipe (11)

Review

Pin Print

Easy Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole Recipe

4.93 from 14 votes

If you love tator tot casseroles, you will love this easy beef enchilada tator tot casserole recipe. All the flavors of beef enchiladas in a casserole.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings 8

Cuisine Mexican

Course casserole, Main Course

Calories 795

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

  • Brown the ground beef and drain off any excess grease.

  • Stir in the taco seasoning, garlic salt, and the can of Rotel.

  • Mix in a can of Red Enchilada sauce.

  • Place this mixture at the bottom of the greased 9×13 baking pan.

  • Spread out half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the ground beef.

  • Place one layer of tator tots over the casserole.

  • Baked for 25 minutes uncovered.

  • Sprinkle with the Monterey Jack cheese and the remaining cheddar cheese on top. Bake for 3-5 more minutes until the cheese is melted.

  • Serve immediately with your favorite enchilada toppings.

Recipe Notes

*Refrigerate the leftovers in an air tight container for up 5-7 days.

*When serving, top this casserole with your favorite enchilada toppings. I love topping it with sour cream, olives, red onions and tomatoes.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 795kcal, Carbohydrates 35g, Protein 40g, Fat 55g, Saturated Fat 25g, Polyunsaturated Fat 4g, Monounsaturated Fat 21g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 150mg, Sodium 1650mg, Potassium 754mg, Fiber 3g, Sugar 4g, Vitamin A 984IU, Vitamin C 13mg, Calcium 566mg, Iron 4mg

Pin This Now to Remember It Later

Pin Recipe

Try some of these other easy casserole recipes

  • Cheeseburger Tator Tot Casserole Recipe
  • Taco Lasagna Recipe
  • Cowboy Casserole Recipe
  • How to Make Hamburger Casserole
Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole Recipe (12)

Try these other recipes

Quick and Easy Breakfast

Chorizo Breakfast Casserole

Easy Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Chicken Breast Recipes

Quick and Easy Chicken

Chicken Parmesan Pasta

Easy Casserole

Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Easy Side Dishes

Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

200+ Easy Italian

Zucchini Lasagna

Quick and Easy Chicken

No Peek Chicken and Rice

Quick and Easy Breakfast

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole

About the Author

Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole Recipe (21)

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

About Carrie Page
Beef Enchilada Tator Tot Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my tater tot casserole soggy? ›

Why is my tater tot casserole soggy? Not baking the casserole long enough is the most common reason for it to become soggy. Make sure the center is bubbly and the top is golden before removing it from the oven. If the top begins to brown too quickly, cover it with foil, and continue to bake.

What is a good side for tater tot casserole? ›

What can I serve this with? This tater tot casserole could be served as a side dish itself alongside roasted meats such as roast chicken, turkey, beef or ham. If you're serving this as the main dish then why not try serving this tater tot casserole with green beans, spinach, or a bountiful fresh salad.

What is tater tot casserole made of? ›

Tater Tot Casserole is a classic comfort food made with a flavorful beefy base, canned or frozen vegetables, an optional addition of cream of mushroom soup, cheese, and crispy tater tots. It's easy to make ahead of time, freezer friendly, budget friendly, and a great way to feed a crowd!

Is tater tot casserole a Midwest thing? ›

Tater Tot Hotdish is a quick and easy comfort food staple recipe all over the Midwest! This hotdish is full of meat, veggies, soup, cheese, and topped with tater tots for a super satisfying meal!

How do I get the crispiest tater tots? ›

A slightly longer cook time makes the most delicious difference in both the taste and texture of tater tots. A longer cook time will cause the tots to shrink and dry out a little, which makes them even crispier all around on the outside with a potato-y center that's more dense and creamy.

How do you keep a casserole moist? ›

Covering a casserole (whether with a lid or with aluminum foil) is important because it helps keep moisture and heat inside the baking dish. This encourages even baking throughout, ensuring that noodles come out perfectly al dente and cheese melts uniformly.

Should you flip tater tots in the oven? ›

2Drizzle the tops of tater tots with the remaining oil, then bake until golden brown on the bottom, about 12 minutes. 3Carefully flip each tater tot — using two forks helps to wiggle any tots that are more stuck than others — then bake until the second side is golden brown, another 12 to 15 minutes.

What meat goes with tater tots? ›

Just pile tots and your favorite nacho toppings onto romaine lettuce. Add protein with shredded rotisserie chicken, or leftover chili or pulled pork.

Can you freeze tater tot casserole after you cook it? ›

Yes, you can freeze tater tot casserole – but it's best to freeze it before cooking. Assemble the casserole according to the recipe but, instead of baking it, wrap the whole thing in storage wrap. Wrap it again in aluminum foil. Freeze the casserole for up to four months, then bake it according to the recipe.

What country is tater tot casserole from? ›

Hotdish
A tater tot hotdish
CourseMain or side dish
Place of originUnited States
Region or stateUpper Midwest
Main ingredientsStarch (potatoes, pasta, etc.), cream soup (typically cream of mushroom), meat, vegetables

Are tater tots junk food? ›

Warning: There's absolutely nothing healthy or nutritionally redeeming about “tater tots.” They're straight up junk food, loaded with fat and salt. But they're also crispy, salty and simply irresistible — no matter what your age. Ore-Ida's Tater Tots were invented in Oregon in 1953 as a way to use up potato scraps.

What nationality are tater tots? ›

United States

What do they call a casserole in Minnesota? ›

Because we don't call it that, it got me wondering what the origin of hot dish is, considering Minnesota is the only state that refers to casseroles as hot dishes.

What do Americans call casserole? ›

In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

What is the difference between a tater tot hotdish and a tater tot casserole? ›

All hotdishes are casseroles, but not all casseroles are hotdishes. But the main difference between hotdish and other casseroles is where you make it. What someone in Minnesota or North Dakota would call hotdish, a person in Indiana would simply know as tater tot casserole.

How to keep tater tots from getting soggy? ›

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) before baking the frozen tater tots. This high temperature will help them become crispy without becoming soggy. How long should I bake frozen tater tots for? Bake the frozen tater tots for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

Why is my hash brown casserole soggy? ›

You must drain them and dry them properly first. Potatoes retain lots of water. Getting that water out is the secret to crispy hashbrowns.

How do you fix a wet casserole? ›

10 Tips To Fix Or Prevent Watery Casseroles
  1. Prep vegetables ahead of time. Solstock/Getty Images. ...
  2. Add a starch. NIKCOA/Shutterstock. ...
  3. Experiment with pasta or grains. Pidjoe/Getty Images. ...
  4. Take the lid off. ...
  5. Drain fat from meat. ...
  6. Choose a dry or low-fat cheese. ...
  7. Sprinkle seeds into your bake. ...
  8. Remove excess liquid.
Oct 29, 2023

Why is my potato casserole runny? ›

I would skip the milk, just cream and cheese, and make sure to bake a long time uncovered. I never add a thickener. I'd suspect the potato type you are using as a PP suggested and/or that your cream/milk is separating which you see as “watery”.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Last Updated:

Views: 6466

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Birthday: 1998-01-29

Address: Apt. 611 3357 Yong Plain, West Audra, IL 70053

Phone: +5819954278378

Job: Construction Director

Hobby: Embroidery, Creative writing, Shopping, Driving, Stand-up comedy, Coffee roasting, Scrapbooking

Introduction: My name is Dr. Pierre Goyette, I am a enchanting, powerful, jolly, rich, graceful, colorful, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.