Chili Tater Tot Casserole: a Comfort Food Classic
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 onion diced
- 2 cans chili or about 2 cups of leftover chili
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 package frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Check the bag of frozen tater tots for the recommended cooking temperature. Preheat the oven as directed. Place the tater tots in a single layer on a baking sheet and cook for half of the recommended cooking time. Partially cooking the tater tots first guarantees a perfectly crispy finish with no soggy bottoms.
- Cook the Onion and Ground Beef: Take a large skillet and add in the diced yellow onion and olive oil. Cook over medium heat until the onion becomes soft. Add 1 lb of ground beef and cook over medium-high heat. Stir and cook until the meat is no longer pink. Drain any excess grease. Sprinkle in a teaspoon of garlic powder for that aromatic kick.
- Add the Chili: Pour the two cans of chili into the skillet to create a hearty chili base. Stir over medium-high heat until chili mixture is heated through.
- Layer the Casserole: Grab your casserole dish and spray it with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the chili mixture across the bottom. Sprinkle a cup of cheddar cheese over the chili layer for that melty goodness.
- Add the Tater Tots: Arrange a layer of partially cooked crispy tater tots over the cheese. Use the whole bag.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-30 minutes. You’re aiming for a bubbly chili cheese layer and golden-brown crispy tots on top.
Notes
- Transform Leftover Chili: If you’ve got some delicious homemade chili remaining from Sunday’s dinner, put it to good use as a robust chili base for this casserole. It’s the perfect way to use up leftover chili in and familiar, comforting way.
- Lean and Mean Proteins: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter yet equally tasty twist on this classic dish, perfect for those who favor leaner comfort food.
- Chili Dog Craze: For a fun take on chili cheese fries and chili dogs, dice up some hot dogs and add them to the chili mixture before baking; it’s an instant crowd-pleaser that speaks to both kids and adults alike.
- Add Toppings: Feel free to crown your casserole with an array of optional toppings such as chopped green onions for a fresh bite, a dollop of creamy sour cream, or drizzles of ooey-gooey nacho cheese.
Nutrition
Calories: 471kcalCarbohydrates: 11.5gProtein: 59.2gFat: 19.9gSaturated Fat: 8.7gCholesterol: 178mgSodium: 594mgPotassium: 980mgFiber: 3.3gSugar: 1.3gCalcium: 136mgIron: 34mg
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