Description
Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting and hearty American main dish featuring crispy baked tater tots layered with savory chili and melted cheddar cheese, topped off with sour cream and fresh green onions. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 bag of frozen tater tots (about 32 oz)
- 2 cans of chili (with or without beans, each approx. 15 oz)
- 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
Toppings
- 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’s hot enough for baking the casserole evenly and melting the cheese perfectly.
- Arrange tater tots: In a large baking dish, spread the frozen tater tots evenly across the bottom to create a crispy foundation for the casserole.
- Add chili layer: Pour the chili over the tater tots and spread it out evenly so every bite gets a good amount of savory chili.
- Top with cheese: Generously sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the chili layer, covering it completely for a melty, cheesy topping.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly, and the tater tots are crispy on the edges.
- Cool slightly: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes to allow it to set and be easier to serve.
- Add toppings and serve: Spoon servings onto plates and top each with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped green onions for freshness and creaminess.
Notes
- Feel free to use homemade chili instead of canned for a fresher and customizable touch.
- For a spicier variant, add sliced jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce to the chili before baking.
- This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator; bake just before serving to maintain the tater tots’ crispness.
- You may substitute cheddar cheese with Monterey Jack or a blend of Mexican cheeses for different flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: chili, tater tot casserole, cheddar cheese, easy dinner, American casserole, comfort food, baked tater tots
