Introduction

Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting, easy-to-make dish that combines crispy tater tots, hearty chili, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, this casserole is sure to satisfy everyone at the table.

A close-up view of a baked dish in a clear glass rectangular pan showing three visible layers: the bottom layer is a rich, dark brown meat sauce with ground pieces, the middle layer is gooey, melted white cheese stretching down into the meat layer, and the top layer is golden browned tater tots arranged tightly in rows, with some cheese melting between them, all sitting on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 bag of frozen tater tots
2 cans of chili (with or without beans)
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup of sour cream
1/2 cup of chopped green onions

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Step 2: In a large baking dish, spread the frozen tater tots evenly across the bottom.
Step 3: Pour the chili over the tater tots, spreading it evenly.
Step 4: Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 6: Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
Step 7: Serve with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with chopped green onions.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, try adding cooked ground beef or diced jalapeños to the chili before layering.
Swap the cheddar cheese for pepper jack to add a spicy kick.
You can use homemade chili if you prefer a fresher taste and more control over ingredients.
For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cheese and sour cream.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, or microwave individual portions until hot.

How to Serve

The dish shows a serving of a tater tot casserole on a white plate, layered with crispy golden brown tater tots on top, giving a crunchy texture. Below the tater tots, there is a rich layer of cooked ground beef mixed with dark red kidney beans and small bits of green herbs, adding some green color and freshness. The beef layer looks moist and well-seasoned, with a slightly shiny sauce coating it. Small pieces of cooked onions are mixed in, visible for a bit of white and translucent texture. The background shows a white marbled surface and a blurred bunch of green herbs, with part of a white casserole dish in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole up to a day in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time when you’re ready to cook it.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

This casserole can be frozen, but texture may change slightly. Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months, and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 114 reviews

This Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting, easy-to-make dish perfect for busy weeknights. Combining crispy tater tots, hearty chili, and melted cheddar cheese baked to perfection, this casserole is topped with creamy sour cream and fresh green onions for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

1 bag (about 30 oz) frozen tater tots
2 cans (approximately 15 oz each) chili (with or without beans)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup chopped green onions

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot enough to crisp the tater tots and melt the cheese thoroughly.
Prepare Base Layer: Spread the frozen tater tots evenly across the bottom of a large baking dish, creating a uniform layer.
Add Chili Layer: Pour the chili over the tater tots, distributing it evenly to cover all the tots for balanced flavor in every bite.
Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the chili layer to create a cheesy topping that will melt and brown beautifully.
Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
Cool Slightly: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes to set and make serving easier.
Serve and Garnish: Serve the casserole with a dollop of sour cream on top and sprinkle with chopped green onions for freshness and added flavor.

Notes

For a spicier kick, choose chili with added jalapeños or add hot sauce before baking.
You can substitute cheddar cheese with a blend of Mexican cheeses for variation.
Make this meal gluten-free by confirming your chili and tater tots are gluten-free brands.
Sour cream can be replaced with Greek yogurt for a healthier twist.
This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add 5 extra minutes to baking time if baking straight from the fridge.

Keywords: chili cheese casserole,tater tot casserole,comfort food,quick dinner,cheesy casserole