Southwest Tater Tot Casserole

Southwest tater tot casserole is a delicious twist on a classic recipe. Loaded with the Mexican flavors of the Southwest, this casserole is an easy dinner everyone will love.

After trying this Southwest version you should also try our Classic Tater Tot Casserole and our Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole recipes.

An Easy Southwest Casserole

My family just loves a classic tater tot casserole. They would have it for dinner every night if I made it. As much as I love it, I also like to mix things up a bit.

I’m also a huge fan of Mexican food recipes, so I decided to add a little Southwestern flair to my normal tater tot casserole. This recipe is full of all of the delicious flavors of the Southwest with a tater tot base.

This casserole is loaded with ground beef, cheese and a blend of Mexican flavors you won’t be able to resist.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Tater tots (See tip below)
• Ground beef
• Yellow onion
• Green chilis
• Garlic cloves
• Olive oil
• Taco seasoning
• Enchilada sauce
• Mexican blend cheese
• Black olives
• Cilantro
• Mexican Crema (optional)

How To Make Southwest Tater Tot Casserole

Prep – Before you get started, you’ll want to preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Sauté – First, add some oil oil to a pan and warm it up over medium heat. Next, add the diced onions and minced garlic to the pan cook it until everything is tender. Remove the veggies and put them in a bowl and set them aside.

Where’s The Beef – Add the ground beef to skillet and cook it until it has completely browned. Then add mix in the taco seasoning and cook it for another 4 minutes.

Combine – Add back the onions and garlic to the ground beef and stir it until everything has combine. Next, stir in the can of green chilis and enchilada sauce with the beef and continue cooking for about 5 minutes.

Bake – Transfer the ground beef mixture from the skillet into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Place a layer of tater tots over the top of the beef. Then sprinkle the cheese and some black olives over the top. Bake the casserole uncovered for about 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and tater tots are golden brown.

Garnish & Serve – Add a little cilantro to the top and enjoy!! This casserole goes great with some chips and Homemade Salsa, some Spanish Rice and a tall glass of Horchata.

Recipe Tips

Best Tots – Have you tried the tater tot rounds? They are a flatter version of tater tots and that’s what I used them in this southwest casserole recipe.

Best Sauce – I’m partial to the Rosarita brand of enchilada sauce. I think it tastes the best and I use it in all of my Mexican recipes that call for it. If you have extra time, a Homemade Enchilada Sauce is also excellent.

Freezer Meal – This tater tot casserole can easily be used as a freezer meal. If you do, I recommend making it in an aluminum baking pan. Once compiled, let everything cool and then wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. When you’re ready to use it, reheat the casserole at 350 degrees covered for about 60 minutes or until heated throughout.

More Easy Mexican Recipes

• Easy Homemade Red Enchiladas
• Baked Tilapia Fish Tacos
• Chicken Enchilada Dip Appetizer
• Easy Taco Salad Recipe
• Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas

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Southwest Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Servings: 8 servings

All of the delicious flavors of the southwest in a tater tot casserole.

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:20 minutes mins

Total Time:30 minutes mins

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped (about 2 cups)
• 4.5 oz green chilis
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ pack taco seasoning
• 3 cups tater tots, enough to cover dish*
• 10 oz enchilada sauce
• 1 cup Mexican blend cheese, or mozzarella
• ½ cup sliced black olives
• Cilantro
• Mexican Crema, optional

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add the oil to a pan and heat on medium. Add diced onions and garlic – cook until tender. Remove to a bowl and set aside. Add beef to skillet and cook until completely browned, add taco seasoning and cook for another 4 minutes. Add onions and garlic back to beef and stir to combine. Pour the can of green chilis and enchilada sauce into the beef and continue cooking for 5 minutes.
• Transfer the enchilada mixture from the skillet into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Place tatertots on top. sprinkle the cheese and top with black olives. Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and tatertots are golden brown. Add cilantro to the top. Enjoy!!

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving · Calories: 337 kcal · Carbohydrates: 20 g · Protein: 15 g · Fat: 22 g · Saturated Fat: 8 g · Cholesterol: 54 mg · Sodium: 1010 mg · Potassium: 317 mg · Fiber: 3 g · Sugar: 4 g · Vitamin A: 567 IU · Vitamin C: 9 mg · Calcium: 118 mg · Iron: 2 mg

Other Notes

Course: dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Keyword: spicey

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jen Hadfield is a creative mom of 4 and the author of the popular site Tatertots and Jello.