Mexican Tater Tot Casserole (Printer-Friendly)

Hearty tater tots meet seasoned beef, beans, and cheese, baked for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Main Components

01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning mix
04 - 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies, drained
05 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
06 - 1 cup frozen corn kernels
07 - 1 can (10 ounces) red enchilada sauce

→ Topping

08 - 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
09 - 1 bag (32 ounces) frozen tater tots

→ Garnish

10 - Chopped fresh cilantro
11 - Sour cream for serving

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
02 - In a large skillet set over medium heat, add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook, breaking up the meat, until beef is thoroughly browned and onion is tender, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat and return mixture to the skillet.
03 - Add the taco seasoning mix, diced green chilies, black beans, frozen corn, and red enchilada sauce to the skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
04 - Allow the skillet mixture to simmer for 8 to 10 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through and slightly thickened.
05 - Stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese until well blended with the meat mixture.
06 - Evenly spread the prepared beef mixture into the greased baking dish.
07 - Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single even layer on top of the meat mixture.
08 - Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the tater tots are crisp and golden.
09 - Remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots. Return to oven and bake for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and beginning to brown.
10 - Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the casserole and serve hot, accompanied by sour cream.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - For added heat, mix in diced jalapeños with the green chilies or use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar.