Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 cup sweet or yellow onion, chopped
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup barbecue sauce (choose desired flavor and spice level)
1 can (about 15 ounces) Mexican-style corn with peppers or 1 cup frozen corn
1 can (10 ounces) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies or diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, drained (optional for added texture and protein)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or a Mexican cheese blend as a variation)
28 ounces frozen tater tots (preferably round crispy crowns for visual appeal)
2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400–425°F (204–218°C) and grease a 9×13 inch (33×23 cm) baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion, cooking until no pink remains in the meat. Drain any excess fat.
3. Stir in barbecue sauce, corn, tomatoes with chilies, and beans (if using). Season with chili powder, garlic salt, cumin, and black pepper. Simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes to meld flavors and slightly thicken.
4. Transfer the beef mixture to the prepared baking dish and evenly sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the top.
5. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top, starting from the edges for a neat presentation.
6. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy. In the last 5 minutes, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the tater tots and continue baking until melted.
7. Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with sliced green onions.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🥔 Keep tater tots frozen until just before baking to ensure crispiness. If chilling the assembled casserole before baking, allow it to sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes first.
🍗 Substitutions for the ground beef include ground turkey, chicken, or pork. Adjust barbecue sauce spiciness or flavor based on your preference.
🧄 For a thicker sauce that crisps well, you may add a small amount of flour to the beef mixture before simmering or use a thicker barbecue sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Standing time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Varies with ingredients
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 690 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 67 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg