Main Dishes

Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

ByLuna Collins October 14, 2025October 14, 2025

Introduction

Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make dish perfect for busy weeknights. Combining crispy tater tots with hearty chili and melted cheddar, it’s a crowd-pleaser that requires minimal effort.

The image shows a close-up of a baked dish in a clear glass tray with three visible layers. The bottom layer is dark and rich, filled with a chunky meat sauce with a thick texture. The middle layer is a stringy, melted white cheese that stretches down from the top. The top layer consists of golden-brown, slightly crispy tater tots arranged in an even layer, with some cheese melted between them, giving a gooey texture. The background has a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 bag of frozen tater tots
2 cans of chili (with or without beans)
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup of sour cream
1/2 cup of chopped green onions

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Step 2: In a large baking dish, spread the frozen tater tots evenly across the bottom.
Step 3: Pour the chili over the tater tots, spreading it evenly.
Step 4: Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 6: Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
Step 7: Serve with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with chopped green onions.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, try mixing some cooked ground beef into the chili or adding diced jalapeños before baking.
Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar for a spicy twist.
To lighten the dish, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through to keep the tater tots crispy, or microwave for a quicker option but expect softer texture.

How to Serve

This image shows a layered casserole dish in a clear glass tray, placed on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a thick, rich brown ground meat sauce, textured with visible bits of meat. Above this is a layer of round, golden tater tots arranged in a close, neat grid, each tot showing a crispy exterior. The topmost layer is melted cheese, creamy white and orange, bubbling and stretching slightly over the tater tots with gooey strands dripping down the sides of the dish, adding a shiny, appetizing finish. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade chili for this recipe?

Yes, homemade chili works wonderfully and allows you to control the ingredients and spice level. Just ensure it is thick enough to layer well over the tater tots.

Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely. Assemble the casserole and cover it tightly with foil, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.

Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 68 reviews

This Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish that layers crispy golden tater tots with savory chili and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner or game day gathering, it’s topped with tangy sour cream and fresh green onions for added flavor and texture.

Author: Luna
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

1 bag of frozen tater tots (approximately 32 oz)
2 cans of chili (with or without beans, about 15 oz each)
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup of sour cream
1/2 cup of chopped green onions

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the casserole evenly.
Arrange Tater Tots: In a large baking dish, spread the frozen tater tots evenly across the bottom to form the base layer of the casserole.
Add Chili: Pour the chili over the tater tots, spreading it evenly to cover the entire surface for a consistent flavor in every bite.
Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the chili, which will melt and create a gooey, delicious top layer.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden around the edges.
Cool Slightly: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes to set and make it easier to serve.
Serve: Serve the casserole with a dollop of sour cream on top and sprinkle with chopped green onions for a fresh, tangy finish.

Notes

You can use chili with or without beans based on your preference.
For extra spice, consider adding jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the chili before baking.
If you prefer a crispier topping, broil the casserole for the last 2-3 minutes but watch closely to prevent burning.
This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the bake time if baking from cold.
To make it vegetarian, use a vegetarian chili or a bean chili substitute.

Keywords: tater tot casserole, chili cheese casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, baked casserole, tater tots, chili recipe

Luna Collins

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