Description
Hearty Slow Cooker Mexican Tater Tot Casserole brings zesty southwestern comfort to your dinner table with layers of cheesy, spicy goodness. Creamy, crispy, and packed with bold flavors, you’ll savor every comforting bite of this crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 32 oz (907 grams) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 grams) corn, drained
Seasoning and Sauce:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup water
- 1 can (10 oz / 284 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
Cheese and Garnish:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, draining excess fat. Infuse with taco seasoning and a splash of water, simmering until the sauce transforms into a rich, aromatic coating.
- Transfer the seasoned beef to the slow cooker, creating an even base layer. Distribute black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes across the meat foundation.
- Blend cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, sprinkling half the mixture generously over the vegetable and meat landscape.
- Construct a precise geometric layer of tater tots, positioning them edge to edge to create a golden, crispy surface.
- Seal the slow cooker and initiate the culinary transformation. Maintain low temperature for 4 hours or high temperature for 2 hours, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- During the final quarter-hour of cooking, cascade the remaining cheese over the tater tot terrain. Continue cooking until the cheese liquefies into a molten blanket.
- Elevate the dish with a vibrant garnish of fresh cilantro, presenting a warm, bubbling casserole bursting with southwestern essence.
Notes
- Customize your taco seasoning by mixing your own blend for a more personalized flavor profile and control over sodium levels.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, leaner, or vegetarian version of the casserole.
- Drain canned vegetables thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making the dish too watery during slow cooking.
- Opt for crispy tater tots by placing a paper towel under the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to absorb moisture and maintain texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (on Low) or 2 hours (on High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg