This Mexican Tator Tot Casserole is layered with seasoned beef, beans, corn, cheese, and golden tator tots! A comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s ready in under an hour.
This Mexican Tator Tot Casserole is my family’s go-to for busy weeknights — seasoned beef, black beans, corn, and melty cheese baked under a golden layer of crispy tater tots. It’s ready in about an hour, feeds a crowd for around $3 a serving, and even my pickiest eaters ask for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
- Budget-friendly – Feeds 8 for about $3.36 a serving using pantry staples and freezer basics.
- One dish, big flavor – Taco-seasoned beef, beans, corn, and melty cheese all bake together, so there’s no juggling side dishes.
- Ready in about an hour – Simple enough for a weeknight, hearty enough for company.
- Kid-approved – My own crew (and readers in the comments below) go back for seconds.
Casserole Recipes are perfect for a weeknight meal or to feed a crowd! If you love this easy recipe, then I am sure you will love tator tot breakfast casserole, taco casserole, the best Mexican casserole recipe, Mexican chicken and rice casserole, Mexican rice casserole and cowboy casserole.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef – 80/20 works well here for flavor without extra grease. Try ground chicken, turkey, or even shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Chopped Small Onion – Freeze Onion if you chop ahead of time.
- Minced Clove Garlic – Learn How to Mince Garlic Cloves
- Red Enchilada Sauce – Use can or make Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce Recipe
- Black Beans – Beans needs to be drained
- Corn – We used frozen corn, but canned corn works too — just drain it well first.
- Chili Powder – See The Best Chili Powder Substitute. You can also use this Taco Seasoning Mix
- Ground Cumin – See Best Substitute for Cumin
- Oregano – You can substitute with Italian Seasoning Recipe
- Frozen Tator Tots – There is no need to thaw
- Mexican Cheese Blend – Use freshly shredded cheese
- Optional Toppings РShredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, black olives, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, and sliced jalape̱os.
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe details.
How to Make Mexican Tator Tot Casserole
Step 1 – In a large pan over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is softened, about 6-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
Step 2 – Stir in enchilada sauce, black beans, frozen corn, green chiles, and all seasonings. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 3 – Pour the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish. Arrange frozen tator tots in a single layer on top. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes, or until tator tots are crispy.
Step 4 – Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Add desired toppings.
Mexican Tator Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 onion diced
- 1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 2 cans 10 ounces each red enchilada sauce
- 1 can 15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups frozen corn
- 1 can 4 ounces diced green chiles
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 32 oz frozen tator tots
- 3 cups Mexican cheese blend shredded
- Optional Toppings: Shredded lettuce diced tomatoes, sour cream, black olives, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, and sliced jalapeños.
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook 2 pounds ground beef and 1 diced onion for 6–7 minutes until the beef is browned and the onion is softened.
- Add 1 tablespoon minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
- Stir in 2 cans (10 ounces each) red enchilada sauce, 1 can (15 ounces) drained and rinsed black beans, 2 cups frozen corn, 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
- Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes.
- Pour the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Arrange 32 ounces frozen tator tots in a single layer on top of the beef mixture.
- Bake uncovered for 35 minutes, or until the tator tots are crispy.
- Sprinkle 3 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend evenly over the top and bake for an additional 5–7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the casserole stand for 5 minutes before serving.
- Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, black olives, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, and sliced jalapeños if desired.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- Drain Beans – Make sure to drain and rinse the beans to prevent the mixture from being too wet.
- Crispy Topping – For extra crispy tots, broil for the last 2-3 minutes of baking.
- Make Ahead – Assemble casserole, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
- Feeding Fewer or More – To serve 4, use a 9×9-inch dish and cut all ingredients in half (bake for about the same time, just watch the tots closely). To feed a crowd, use a second 9×13 dish rather than one deep dish — it bakes more evenly.
- Meatless Tator Tot Casserole – Omit meat and add extra beans, peppers, and zucchini. Feel free to add in any type of vegetables.
- Breakfast Variations – Replace beef with chorizo and serve with fried eggs on top.
- Cheesy Ranch Version – Mix ranch seasoning into the beef mixture for a tangy kick.
- Southwest Style – Use pepper jack cheese, jalapenos, cayenne, or hot sauce for a spicier casserole.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Recommendations
- Green Salad
- Spanish Rice Recipe
- Tortilla Chips with Homemade Salsa Recipe and Best Mexican White Cheese Dip Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no need to thaw the tator tots before baking. They will bake and get crispier from frozen while baking.
Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to keep tots crispy.
Yes! Once the casserole has cooled, top the casserole dish with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze the casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge when ready to reheat.
More Tator Tot Casserole Recipes
If you make this Mexican Tator Tot Casserole Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love hearing from you!
This casserole has great flavor. I love the mixture of tater tots and all of the other ingredients.
I made this tonight and it turned out perfectly.
Great
So easy to make with ingredients I already had!
Made this for my bible study and everyone raved about it!
This was the perfect casserole to make when my family came over! It was hearty, delicious and everyone cleaned their plates.