Chili Tater Tot Casserole

Name: Chili Tater Tot Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 2 tablespoons chili powder; 1 tablespoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon pepper; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1/3 cup tomato paste; 2 (15.5 oz) cans beans; 3 cups beef broth; 6 oz cheddar cheese, shredded; half of a 30 oz bag tater tot crowns; minced chives

Featured Ingredients

Read below about a few of the ingredients used to make Chili Tater Tot Casserole.

All the ingredients used to make chili tater tot casserole.

Ground beef - You can use your usual ground beef, a blend of beef and pork, or go lean with ground turkey. This recipe is now yours, so use what you like best!
If you use a lean turkey, don't spoon off the fat, and if there aren't at least two tablespoons after cooking it, add two tablespoons of oil or butter after browning.

Beans - I chose a kidney/pinto blend, but again, if you have a bean preference, use that!

Seasonings - I kept the chili seasonings simple, so they were still made from scratch but not too cumbersome. If you have other go-to chili flavors, like extra heat or chunky vegetables, feel free to add them!

I like to add the seasonings early in the recipe so they have time to soften and bloom.

For a more complete scratch chili recipe, try this one.

Cheese - Shredded cheddar is chili's best friend, but you can spice it up with pepper jack or opt for super creamy and use American cheese slices. (If you choose American cheese, use less salt in the chili to balance with the saltier cheese.) Whichever you choose, shred the cheese off the block rather than buying pre-shredded which is covered in an anti-caking agent which can cause grainy melted cheese.

Tater tots - I prefer the crown shaped tots over the nugget shaped tots. They have more crispy surface!

See the recipe card for quantities.

Tools for the job

Measuring spoons and cups

3-quart pot

Wooden spoon

Cheese grater

2 quart or 8x8 casserole dish

A metal tray holding a bowl of tater tot casserole beside a salad, napkin, and spoon.

How to make Chili Tater Tot Casserole

Preheat the oven to 400°F

Warm a 3 quart pot on the stove over medium heat. Crumble the ground beef into the pot along with one teaspoon of salt as it warms up.

Brown the beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. When most of the meat has browned, and most of the fat has rendered out, spoon off the fat. Scoop out the liquid fat and discard using a large serving spoon, leaving a few tablespoons behind.

Then, add the remaining seasonings and stir into the beef until it is coated. Cook and stir for 3-4 minutes so the spices can bloom and soften.

Next, add tomato paste. Push the beef to the sides of the pan and spread the paste as thin as you can across the bottom. It likes to stay in a clump, so do your best. Let the paste cook and darken a little for a richer tomato flavor.

After cooking the tomato paste for a few minutes, add the two cans of beans and 3 cups of beef broth. Bring the chili to a boil, then turn it down to a simmer for 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You'll want to reduce the liquid by about ⅓. If it's still a bit runny when it goes into the oven, that's ok. It will thicken up when it's baked.

Taste the chili for salt, then pour it into the casserole dish when it's to your liking. Top with the shredded cheddar cheese and then layer on frozen tater tots.

Put the casserole dish in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the tots look crispy and the chili is bubbling up the sides of the dish. Enjoy the chili tater tot casserole with a crunchy green salad.

A grid showing the progression of the casserole being layered in the baking dish.

Variations and substitutions

Hot dogs - Add chopped hotdogs while the chili is simmering.

Balance - When serving, top with salsa or diced tomatoes to balance the savory, salty flavors.

Like a baked potato - Make it a "loaded" dish by topping it with bacon bits, sour cream, and green onions.

For a party - Fill small ramekins with hot chili and a pinch of cheese, then top with precooked tater tots, hot from the oven. Add chive or green onion garnish for brightness.

A spoon pulling out a bite of chili tater tot casserole from the bowl with a salad in the background.

FAQ's

What are chili cheese tots?

Like chili cheese fries, chili cheese tots are served nacho style. Cooked tater tots topped with chili and cheese. This recipe is a casserole version of that appetizer dish.

What goes best with Chili Tater Tot Casserole?

To make this a meal, serve with a crunchy green salad or steamed broccoli. A simple but complementary side would be carrot and celery sticks with ranch to dip.

Can I use canned chili instead?

Absolutely! Substitute the scratch chili for three 15-oz cans of store bought chili.