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A cozy homemade Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole bubbling hot from the oven

Classic Cozy Homemade Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole

This classic chili cheese tater tot casserole is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for family dinners. Featuring a savory ground beef chili base topped with crispy tater tots and melted cheddar cheese, it's a crowd-pleaser that's easy to make.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Oven
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large skillet or Dutch oven

Ingredients
  

Chili Base

  • 1 pound Ground Beef 80/20 lean is ideal for flavor
  • 1 medium Onion chopped
  • 2-3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 can Canned Diced Tomatoes 14.5 ounce, undrained
  • 1 can Canned Kidney Beans 15 ounce, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can Tomato Sauce 8 ounce
  • 2 tablespoons Chili Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin
  • 0.5 teaspoon Smoked Paprika adds a lovely depth
  • Salt To taste (recommend 1/2 - 1 teaspoon initially)
  • Black Pepper To taste (recommend 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon initially)

Topping & Cheese

  • 1 bag Frozen Tater Tots 32 ounce
  • 2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese or a cheddar-jack blend

Optional Toppings

  • Sour cream
  • Green onions
  • Jalapeños
  • Extra shredded cheese

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

Cooking the Chili

  • Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then drain any excess grease.
  • Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened, then stir in minced garlic for another minute until fragrant.
  • Stir in diced tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper; bring to a simmer, then cover and cook on low for 15-20 minutes to meld flavors.

Assembly and Baking

  • Pour the chili mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
  • Sprinkle one cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the chili.
  • Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and slightly crispy.
  • Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining cheese over the tater tots, and return to oven for 5-10 minutes until bubbly and melted.
  • Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to help it set.

Notes

For extra crispiness, you can lightly spray the tater tots with cooking spray before baking. Feel free to adjust the spice level of the chili to your preference by adding more or less chili powder, or a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat.