There's nothing quite like the nostalgia of a hot dish bubbling in the oven, especially one as affordable as this Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole. Made with budget-friendly pantry staples like canned beans (or your favorite leftover chili) and frozen tots, this recipe proves you don't need a gourmet grocery list to make a satisfying feast. It's a warm, cheesy, and deeply savory meal that stretches your dollar while filling your kitchen with the most incredible aroma.
This chili cheese casserole recipe is perfect for busy nights when you need something warm, filling, and guaranteed to please everyone at the table. The crispy tater tots topping becomes irresistibly crunchy while the cheese underneath gets all gooey and delicious.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
- Ingredients for Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
- How to Make Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
- My Top Tips for Perfect Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
- Little Moments in the Kitchen
- Substitutions for Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
- Variations on Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
- Equipment for Making Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
- Storage Tips for Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
- Adam's Tip for Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
- FAQ About Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
- Conclusion
- Related
- Pairing
- recipe
Why You'll Love This Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
- Uses simple pantry staples. Frozen tater tots, canned chili, and shredded cheese are all you need for this weeknight dinner casserole.
- Ready in under an hour. Just layer everything in a 9×13 casserole assembly and bake until cheese melted and the tots are golden.
- Perfect for leftovers. This is an excellent leftover chili dinner that transforms yesterday's chili into something new and exciting.
Ingredients for Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
Simple ingredients layer together for maximum comfort.
What You'll Need
For the Casserole:
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) chili with beans (or 3 to 4 cups homemade chili)
- 1 pound ground beef (optional, for chili cheese tater tot casserole with ground beef)
- ½ cup diced onion
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened (optional, for chili tater tot casserole with cream cheese)
- 1 bag (32 ounces) frozen tater tots
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Toppings:
- Sour cream
- Sliced green onions
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded lettuce
- Jalapeño slices
Why These Ingredients Matter
Canned chili saves time. Using Hormel chili or your favorite canned brand for this Hormel chili cheese tater tot casserole makes this recipe incredibly fast and convenient.
Two cheeses create layers of flavor. The shredded cheddar cheese layer provides sharp flavor while mozzarella adds that perfect cheese pull.
Frozen tater tots are the star. The crispy tater tots topping becomes golden and crunchy on top while staying tender where they touch the chili.
How to Make Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
Step-by-Step Directions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Brown the meat (if using). If making chili cheese tater tot casserole with ground beef, cook the ground beef and diced onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 6 to 7 minutes until the beef is browned. Drain excess fat and season with salt and pepper.
- Mix the chili layer. In a large bowl, combine the canned chili (or homemade chili) with the cooked ground beef if using. If making chili cheese tater tot casserole with cream cheese, stir in the softened cream cheese until well combined. For chili cheese tater tot casserole no meat, simply use the canned chili as is.
- Layer the chili. Spread the ground beef chili filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Add the first cheese layer. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and ½ cup of mozzarella cheese over the chili layer.
- Top with tater tots. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese, covering the entire surface. You want them touching but not overlapping too much.
- Add more cheese. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese and ½ cup of mozzarella over the tater tots.
- Bake until golden. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the tater tots are crispy and golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Add toppings and serve. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, then top with chili toppings sour cream green onions, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, or jalapeños. Serve this chili cheese tater tot casserole warm.
Quick Tip: For extra crispy tater tots, broil the casserole for the last 2 to 3 minutes of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning!
My Top Tips for Perfect Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
- Don't skip draining the beef. If you're browning ground beef, make sure to drain the excess fat so your casserole isn't greasy.
- Use a deep baking dish. A standard 9×13-inch dish works perfectly for this recipe and prevents overflow.
- Let it rest before serving. Allowing the casserole to sit for 5 minutes after baking helps it set up so it's easier to serve.
- Try it in the crockpot. For a crockpot chili cheese tater tot casserole, layer everything in a slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, adding the tots in the last hour.
Little Moments in the Kitchen
The first time I made this chili cheese tater tot casserole, Adam walked into the kitchen and immediately asked, "Are we having tater tots for dinner?" I told him we were having tater tots, chili, and cheese all baked together. "That's like three of my favorite things in one dish!" he said excitedly. He helped me arrange the frozen tater tots on top, carefully placing each one like he was building something important. When it came out of the oven all golden and bubbly, he grabbed a serving spoon before I could even get plates out. "This is the best casserole ever, Mom!"
Grandma Viola stopped by just as I was taking it out of the oven. She smiled and said, "Now this is smart cooking. When I was raising kids, we made something similar but we called it 'everything casserole' because you could throw in whatever you had. The key is making sure those tater tots get nice and crispy on top. If they're soggy, you baked it too covered. Always leave it uncovered so they can get that crunch."
For more easy casseroles, try our Cajun Sausage Pasta. One-pot wonder!
Substitutions for Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
- Chili: Use homemade chili, leftover chili, or any canned brand you prefer. Turkey chili or vegetarian chili work great too.
- Ground beef: Skip it for a chili cheese tater tot casserole no meat version, or use ground turkey or plant-based meat.
- Cheddar cheese: Use pepper jack for spice, Mexican blend for variety, or American cheese for extra creaminess.
- Tater tots: Substitute with frozen hash browns or waffle fries for tater tot casserole variations.
Variations on Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
- Easy Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole (Classic Version): Follow the recipe above using canned chili, shredded cheese, and frozen tater tots for the simplest easy chili cheese tater tot casserole.
- Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef (Heartier Version): Brown 1 pound of ground beef and mix it into the chili layer for a meatier chili cheese tater tot casserole with ground beef.
- Chili Tater Tot Casserole with Cream Cheese (Extra Creamy): Stir ½ cup softened cream cheese into the chili for an ultra-creamy chili tater tot casserole with cream cheese.
- Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole Pioneer Woman Style (Loaded Version): Add diced jalapeños, black beans, corn, and top with extra cheese for a loaded chili cheese tater tot casserole pioneer woman would approve of.
- Crockpot Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole (Slow Cooker Method): Layer everything in a slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours for an easy crockpot chili cheese tater tot casserole.
If you love comfort food, check out our Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteaks. So satisfying!
Equipment for Making Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
- 9×13-inch baking dish: The perfect size for this 9×13 casserole assembly with plenty of room for all the layers.
- Large skillet: For browning the ground beef if you're adding it to the chili.
- Mixing bowl: For combining the chili and any additional ingredients before layering.
- Cooking spray: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
Storage Tips for Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat the whole dish covered in a 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Freezer: This casserole freezes well! Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Make-ahead tip: Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours ahead, cover with foil, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, then bake as directed.
- Reheating tip: For crispy tater tots, reheat in the oven rather than the microwave.
Looking for more tater tot meals? Try our Bang Bang Chicken Sliders. Game day ready!
Adam's Tip for Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
"Make sure you put lots of cheese between the chili and the tater tots, not just on top! That way you get cheese in every single bite. Trust me, I tested it!"
FAQ About Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
What is cowboy casserole?
Cowboy casserole is a hearty Midwestern comfort food that typically consists of ground beef, corn, beans, tater tots, and cheese all baked together in one dish. While cowboy casserole and chili cheese tater tot casserole share some similarities like the crispy tater tots topping and cheese, the main difference is that cowboy casserole usually includes corn and a more Southwestern flavor profile with taco seasoning, while our chili cheese tater tot casserole focuses on the classic combination of chili and cheese for that chili cheese fries experience. Both are delicious weeknight dinner casseroles that families love, but if you're specifically craving the flavors of chili cheese tots, this recipe is the way to go. You can easily customize either version by adding your favorite toppings like sour cream, green onions, or jalapeños.
How to make tater tot chili cheese dog casserole?
To make a tater tot chili cheese dog casserole, simply add sliced hot dogs to this recipe! Brown the ground beef as directed (or skip it), then stir in 6 to 8 sliced hot dogs with the chili in the bottom layer. The juicy hot dogs, hearty chili, crispy tater tots, and lots of melty cheese create an all-in-one meal that tastes like loaded chili cheese dogs in casserole form. This variation is especially popular with kids because it combines two favorite foods - hot dogs and tater tots. Layer everything the same way as the main recipe, bake until the tater tots are golden and the cheese is bubbly, then top with classic hot dog toppings like mustard, ketchup, diced onions, or relish for an authentic chili cheese dog experience.
Do you brown the meat for tater tot casserole?
Yes, you should always brown ground beef before adding it to a tater tot casserole. Browning the meat not only cooks it thoroughly but also develops deeper, richer flavors through the Maillard reaction and allows you to drain away excess fat that would otherwise make your casserole greasy. For this chili cheese tater tot casserole with ground beef, cook the beef over medium-high heat for 6 to 7 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until it's no longer pink. Drain the fat, season with salt and pepper, then mix it with your chili before layering in the baking dish. However, if you're making a chili cheese tater tot casserole no meat version or using pre-cooked chili, you can skip this step entirely and just focus on the delicious layers of chili, cheese, and crispy tater tots!
Is chili good on tater tots?
Absolutely! Chili is fantastic on tater tots, which is exactly why this chili cheese tater tot casserole is so popular. The combination creates a dish that's like eating chili cheese fries but in a casserole form, with crispy golden tater tots soaking up the rich, flavorful chili while maintaining their crunchy exterior. The tater tots act as both a topping and a vehicle for the chili, providing textural contrast to the soft, saucy chili layer below. When you add a shredded cheddar cheese layer between the chili and tots, plus more cheese on top, you get an irresistible blend of flavors and textures. This combination has been a game-day favorite and comfort food staple for years, and making it as a casserole means everyone gets plenty of that perfect chili-and-tots mixture in every serving!
For more tater tot inspiration, check out this Tater Tot Casserole recipe from Allrecipes.
Conclusion
You don't need an expensive grocery haul to put a smile on everyone's face at the dinner table. This Tater Tot Casserole is a testament to the magic of simple, hearty ingredients working together. It's the kind of meal that tastes even better the next day, making it a fantastic option for budget-conscious meal prepping. Give it a try tonight and enjoy a little taste of home-cooked comfort!
If this becomes your new weeknight favorite, please leave a 5-star rating below! I'd love to hear: did you use canned chili or homemade? For more comfort food classics, try our Garlic Butter Beef Cheeseburger Rollups. Happy cooking!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole:
recipe
Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish Lightly greased to prevent sticking
- Large Skillet Used for browning the ground beef
- Mixing Bowl
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 2 cans chili with beans 15 oz each or 3–4 cups homemade chili
- 1 lb ground beef optional
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 bag frozen tater tots 32 oz
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is no longer pink. Drain excess grease and season with salt and black pepper.
- Stir the cooked beef into the chili with beans until well combined.
- Spread the chili mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
- Top with the remaining cheese and bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a meatless version, simply skip the ground beef and use vegetarian chili.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the oven to keep the tater tots crispy.
This is one of those dinners my daughter asks for again and again, which tells me it belongs in our family cookbook forever.
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