Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
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.
- 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
