Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
This Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for a quick family dinner or a casual get-together. Combining crispy baked tater tots, savory chili, and gooey melted cheddar cheese, it’s topped off with tangy sour cream and fresh green onions for a delightful burst of flavor in every bite.
- Author: Elias
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Base
- 1 bag of frozen tater tots (about 32 ounces)
Topping
- 2 cans of chili (about 15 ounces each, with or without beans)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the casserole.
- Arrange Tater Tots: Spread the frozen tater tots evenly across the bottom of a large baking dish, ensuring a uniform layer for even crisping.
- Add Chili: Pour the chili evenly over the tater tots, spreading it gently to cover them completely.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the chili layer to create a melty, cheesy top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the tater tots are cooked through and crispy on the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped green onions on top for added creaminess and freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute chili with your favorite homemade or canned variation, with or without beans, depending on your preference.
- For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the chili layer before baking.
- To make this dish vegetarian, use a meatless chili alternative.
- This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake; just add extra baking time if going directly from cold.
- If you like a crunchier top, broil for the last 2-3 minutes but watch carefully to prevent burning.
Keywords: chili cheese tater tot casserole, tater tot casserole, cheesy chili casserole, easy dinner casserole, comfort food casserole