Description
Loaded Tater Tot Nacho Casserole is a deliciously hearty dish featuring crispy baked tater tots layered with seasoned ground beef, sautéed vegetables, bacon, and melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Topped with your favorite nacho fixings like sour cream and hot sauce, this casserole is perfect for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 bag (2 lbs) frozen tater tots
- 1 pound lean 90/10 ground beef
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- 6 mini sweet peppers or 1 large bell pepper, diced
- 6 strips center cut bacon
- 1/4 cup salsa
- 4 teaspoons taco seasoning
- 56 g (1/2 cup) shredded cheddar cheese
- 28 g (1/4 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese
- Hot sauce for topping
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt for topping
Instructions
- Bake Tater Tots: Spread the frozen tater tots out on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes until crispy and golden.
- Cook Bacon: While the tater tots bake, slice the bacon strips into smaller pieces and cook them in a pan over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels.
- Sauté Vegetables: Using the same pan, wipe out excess bacon grease leaving a small amount, then add diced sweet peppers and onion. Season lightly with salt and pepper and cook for about 1 minute until slightly softened.
- Brown Ground Beef: Add ground beef to the pan with vegetables. Break up the meat with a spatula and cook until browned but still slightly pink in spots.
- Add Seasoning: Stir in taco seasoning and salsa, cooking for an additional 5 minutes or until beef is fully cooked through and flavors melded. Remove from heat.
- Assemble Casserole: Spray a 10.5-inch cast-iron skillet with nonstick spray. Layer half of the baked tater tots in the skillet, spread half of the beef mixture evenly over the tots, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheddar and 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese. Optionally drizzle hot sauce over this layer.
- Repeat Layers: Add the remaining tater tots on top, fitting them closely like puzzle pieces. Spread the remaining beef mixture on top, sprinkle with cooked bacon pieces, and finish with the remaining 1/4 cup cheddar cheese.
- Bake Final Casserole: Return the skillet to the oven and bake for 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove casserole from oven and let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Add additional toppings such as shredded lettuce, sour cream, or extra hot sauce before scooping out servings and enjoying.
Notes
- A deep cast-iron skillet is ideal for layering but you can use a baking sheet, cake pan, or baking dish alternatively.
- This recipe is flexible so add any other preferred nacho toppings like jalapeños, olives, or beans.
- Since all components are partially cooked before layering, you can assemble in bowls and serve immediately without reheating if desired.
- For an air fryer variation on tater tots, check With the Woodruffs’ recipe for crisp tots with less oil.
- This dish is indulgent and delicious though not the lowest calorie option, perfect for hearty meals or game-day treats.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
