One Pan Tater Tot Taco Casserole

One pan Tater Tot Taco Casserole is simply one thing, AWESOME!  There I said it.  I won’t bore you with the back story or why you need to make this super delish meal.  No, Just make it and enjoy. One Pan Tater Tot Taco Casserole is best made with a Cast Iron Skillet.  I normally use a No. 10 or a 12″ inch skillet. Can you use a Pyrex 9 x 13″ dish instead?  Sure, but your cooking times will be slightly different and it will require more than one pan.

I think one of the secrets to this recipe is the shredded smoked Gouda which gives just the slightest hint of smoke.  It is totally optional and if you want a cheaper alternative then add another cup of 4 cheese Mexican blend cheese and sprinkle some smoked paprika to taste.

One Pan Tater Tot Casserole

Serves: 6

Prep Time:  15 mins

Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

2 Lb 80 % Ground Beef
1 Medium Onion small diced
2 cloves of garlic minced
2 cups of shredded 4 cheese Mexican blend
1 cup of smoked Gouda cheese grated
2 – 1 oz packages of Taco Mix
1 1/3 cups of water
1 – 15 oz can of  black beans rinsed
1 – 2 lb bag of frozen tater tots (I know some product is sold in 32oz bags, that is ok)
12 oz of frozen yellow corn
1 small can of green chilies
1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil

—Optional Items—
Chopped Lettuce
Sour Cream
Guacamole
Taco Sauce
Cilantro, Chopped

Method

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

Grab a 12″ cast iron skillet, a tablespoon of oil and then the onion.

Cook the chopped onion on low-medium till yellow and soft.

Add the miced garlic and cook for a minute till fragrant.

Next raise the heat to medium, add the ground beef.

Cook the beef till it is cooked through with no pink showing.

Grab a lid and drain the grease.

Now add the taco mix, and the 1 1/3 cups of water.  Heat the skillet till the water starts to boil, then reduce to simmer.  Stir the mix till most of the water has evaporated.

Add the rinsed black beans, frozen corn, and green chilies; stir till well mixed.

Now take the smoked Gouda and spread it evenly over the top of the mix.

Next take the frozen tater tots and arrange them evenly on top of the mix.

Place the Cast Iron Skillet in the oven on a middle rack for 20 minutes.

Remove the skillet from the oven and spread the 2 cups of 4 cheese Mexican Blend evenly on top.

Place the skillet back in the oven for 5 more minutes.

Remove the skillet, (Optional) spread chopped cilantro over top.

Serve!  It is great with chopped lettuce, a dollop of Sour Cream, some Guacamole, and salsa or taco sauce.

Print

One Pan Tater Tot Taco Casserole

Tater Tot Taco Caaserole - Exactly as the title says. A ton of tots, spicy ground beef, onion, garlic, black beans, corn and a boat load of cheeses.

Course Main

Cuisine Mexican

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Servings 6

Author Ken

Ingredients

• 2 Lb 80 % Ground Beef
• 1 Medium Onion small diced
• 2 cloves of garlic minced
• 2 cups of shredded 4 cheese Mexican blend
• 1 cup of smoked Gouda cheese grated
• 2 – 1 oz packages of Taco Mix
• 1 1/3 cups of water
• 1 – 15 oz can of black beans rinsed
• 1 – 2 lb bag of frozen tater tots
• 12 oz of frozen yellow corn
• 1 small can of green chilies
• 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil
• —Optional Items—
• Chopped Lettuce
• Sour Cream
• Guacamole
• Taco Sauce or Salsa
• Cilantro Chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Grab a 12″ cast iron skillet, a tablespoon of oil and then the onion.
3. Cook the chopped onion on low-medium till yellow and soft.
4. Add the miced garlic and cook for a minute till fragrant.
5. Next raise the heat to medium, add the ground beef.
6. Cook the beef till it is cooked through with no pink showing.
7. Grab a lid and drain the grease.
8. Now add the taco mix, and the 1 1/3 cups of water. Heat the skillet till the water starts to boil, then reduce to simmer. Stir the mix till most of the water has evaporated.
9. Add the rinsed black beans, frozen corn, and green chilies; stir till well mixed.
10. Now take the smoked Gouda and spread it evenly over the top of the mix.
11. Next take the frozen tater tots and arrange them evenly on top of the mix.
12. Place the Cast Iron Skillet in the oven on a middle rack for 20 minutes
13. Remove the skillet from the oven and spread the 2 cups of 4 cheese Mexican Blend evenly on top.
14. Place the skillet back in the oven for 5 more minutes.
15. Remove the skillet, (Optional) spread chopped cilantro over top.
16. Serve! It is great with chopped lettuce, a dollop of Sour Cream, some Guacamole, and salsa or taco sauce.