Chili Tater Tot Casserole

We can’t get enough of this chili tater tot casserole with cheese! It’s a one-skillet recipe that takes a simple ground beef chili and flips it on its head! With the addition of crisp potato tots and shredded cheddar, this tater tot casserole is bold, hearty, and absolutely amazing. Make it for a game day meal, potluck dinner, or an easy weeknight meal – you won’t regret it!

Why We Love Chili Tater Tot Casserole

1. A one pan meal means there are less dishes to wash.
   If you’re like us, the last thing you want to do at the end of a long day is a lot of dish washing.
2. It’s a main dish tater tot casserole recipe.
   The roots of this iconic hotdish go back to the 1930’s, when it was just a simple baked side dish of crispy tots, condensed soup, and cheese.
   
   Over the years, home cooks began to add proteins and veggies, converting the classic into a complete meal! This chili casserole has lean hamburger, potatoes, and fiber-packed beans, so it’s super hearty and filling!
3. No condensed soup!
   Although it’s a big time-saver, condensed soups have a lot of sodium and chemicals that not everyone wants or needs in their diet.
   Instead, we use simple pantry ingredients to make the thick, creamy sauce. Serve it tonight as a “stick to your bones” dinner that’s ready in under an hour. Or, make ahead this dish and freeze it for later!

Looking for other easy and hearty tater tot casseroles?
We have plenty of other versions to make! Our beefy green bean casserole with tater tots is fantastic way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers, as is our turkey tater tot casserole.

For a healthier dinner, make our chicken version, or check out our entire collection of tater tot recipes.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

• Meat – We use grass-fed, lean ground beef to keep the hotdish a bit healthier. Our preference is 80% lean ground sirloin, but anything with less than 20% fat works great.
• Tomatoes – Can of diced tomatoes is used as it adds juiciness and flavor to this casserole. But you can use fire-roasted diced tomatoes for more smokiness.
• Cheese – We prefer cheddar, for its good meltability. to amp up the spiciness of your chili casserole a bit, feel free to substitute with pepper jack or even a Mexican cheese like queso fresco, Oaxaca, or Asadero.
• Tomato paste – This helps to thicken the chili and adds a ton of flavor.
• Spices – chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, kosher salt, pepper. You can also add a teaspoon of ground red pepper for a kick of heat.

Sprinkle the chili with cheese, and top with frozen shredded potato tots. Then, just bake it in the same skillet.

Then, just 30 minutes later it’s ready to top with your favorite chili toppings.

What to Serve with Chili Tater Tot Casserole

This hotdish can be enjoyed on its own as a one-skillet dinner. But good sides for a Tex Mex dish like chili casserole are cornbread or jalapeno cheddar biscuits. For a bit of green on the plate, go for something like a kale salad.

Make Ahead Instructions

You can easily prep ahead and keep the chili casserole unbaked in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just make the recipe as shown in a casserole dish. Then, let cool and cover the dish before putting it in the fridge. When you are ready, bake it at 400° F for about 30 minutes.

Having a ready-made dinner in the freezer is a great idea. First, follow steps 2-4 and prepare the chili in the skillet. Then, add it to an aluminum pan, sprinkle on the cheese, and add the frozen tater tots. Let it cool completely. To store, wrap the casserole in aluminum foil and freeze it for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions