Why You’ll Love Crock Pot Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
- Easy slow-cooker dinner: After browning the ground beef, the Crock Pot handles most of the cooking.
- Family-friendly flavors: Mild chili seasoning, potatoes, beef, and cheddar make this a crowd-pleasing combination.
- Hearty and filling: Ground beef and tater tots turn this casserole into a substantial meal.
- Minimal prep: Most of the ingredients can be added directly to the slow cooker.
- No thawing required: The frozen tater tots go straight from the freezer into the Crock Pot.
- Cheesy topping: Adding cheddar near the end creates a warm, melted cheese layer over the potatoes.
- Easy to customize: You can change the cheese, seasoning, vegetables, and garnishes to suit your tastes.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 (1-ounce) packets mild chili seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 28 ounces frozen tater tots, no need to thaw
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- Sliced green onions for garnish, optional
Directions
1. Brown the Ground Beef
Place the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, breaking it into crumbles as it browns, until completely cooked through. Drain away any excess grease.
If you prefer very soft onions, add the diced onion to the skillet while browning the beef and cook the two together.
2. Add the Beef to the Slow Cooker
Transfer the cooked and drained ground beef to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the diced onion if you did not cook it with the beef.
3. Add the Chili Ingredients
Add the salt, black pepper, mild chili seasoning, minced garlic, drained diced tomatoes with green chiles, and tomato sauce.
Add ½ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and stir the beef mixture until everything is evenly combined.
4. Add the Tater Tots
Arrange the frozen tater tots in an even layer over the top of the ground beef mixture. There is no need to thaw the tater tots before adding them.
5. Slow Cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. Cooking on LOW is recommended for the best overall texture.
To reduce condensation dripping onto the tater tots, you can place a layer of 2 to 3 paper towels underneath the slow-cooker lid. Make sure the paper towels are secured beneath the lid, remain away from the food and heating element, and follow your slow cooker’s manufacturer instructions.
6. Add the Remaining Cheese
About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots.
Replace the lid and continue cooking until the cheese has completely melted.
7. Serve
Spoon the casserole onto plates or into bowls while hot. Garnish with sliced green onions, if desired, and serve.
Servings and timing
Servings: 8
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 5 hours
Total time: 5 hours 15 minutes
Slow cooker size: 6 quarts
Cooking options: LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours
Variations
Make It Spicier
Replace the mild chili seasoning with a hotter variety, or add diced jalapeños, cayenne pepper, or your favorite hot sauce to the beef mixture. Hot diced tomatoes with green chiles can also add extra heat.
Add Beans
For an even heartier chili-inspired casserole, stir a drained and rinsed can of kidney beans, black beans, or pinto beans into the ground beef mixture before adding the tater tots.
Try a Different Cheese
Cheddar is a classic choice, but Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, Colby Jack, or a Mexican-style cheese blend also works well.
Add Corn
Stir drained canned corn or frozen corn into the beef mixture for extra sweetness, color, and texture.
Use Ground Turkey
Ground turkey can replace the ground beef for a lighter variation. Brown it thoroughly before transferring it to the slow cooker.
Add More Vegetables
Diced bell peppers are an easy addition. Cook them briefly with the ground beef and onions before assembling the casserole.
Add More Toppings
Serve individual portions with sliced green onions, sour cream, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, or crushed tortilla chips.
Storage/Reheating
Allow leftover Crock Pot Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole to cool before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
For individual servings, microwave the casserole until thoroughly heated. Because microwaving can soften the tater tots, reheating leftovers in an oven or air fryer can help restore some of their texture.
To reheat in the oven, place the casserole in an oven-safe dish, cover loosely with foil, and heat at 350°F until hot throughout. Remove the foil toward the end if you want the top to become slightly crisper.
For longer storage, freeze cooled portions in freezer-safe containers. The casserole can be frozen for up to 2 to 3 months for best quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Keep in mind that previously frozen tater tots may be softer after thawing and reheating.
FAQs
Can I put frozen tater tots directly in the Crock Pot?
Yes. The tater tots can go directly from the freezer into the slow cooker, so there is no need to thaw them first.
Do I need to cook the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker?
Yes. Brown and fully cook the ground beef in a skillet first, then drain away the excess grease before transferring the meat to the slow cooker. This improves both the flavor and texture of the casserole.
Should I cook this casserole on LOW or HIGH?
Either setting works, but LOW is recommended. Cook the casserole for approximately 4 to 5 hours on LOW or 2 to 3 hours on HIGH.
How do I keep the tater tots from becoming too soggy?
Condensation inside a slow cooker naturally creates moisture, so Crock Pot tater tots will be softer than oven-baked tots. Keeping them in an even layer and reducing condensation can help. If using the paper-towel method described above, make sure it is appropriate for your specific slow cooker.
Can I make the tater tots crispy?
A slow cooker will not make tater tots as crispy as an oven or air fryer. For a crispier finish, transfer servings to an oven-safe dish and briefly broil them after cooking, watching closely to prevent burning.
Can I add beans to this casserole?
Absolutely. Kidney beans, black beans, or pinto beans complement the chili flavors nicely. Drain and rinse canned beans before stirring them into the beef mixture.
What kind of cheese works best?
Shredded cheddar cheese provides the classic flavor, but Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, or a Mexican-style cheese blend can be substituted.
Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?
You can brown the beef and prepare the chili mixture ahead of time, then refrigerate it in a covered container. When you’re ready to cook, transfer it to the slow cooker and add the frozen tater tots. Avoid placing a refrigerator-cold slow-cooker insert directly into a heated base unless the manufacturer specifically states that it is safe.
What can I serve with Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole?
Because this casserole is already rich and filling, simple sides work especially well. Try a green salad, steamed broccoli, roasted vegetables, coleslaw, or green beans.
How do I know when the casserole is ready?
The casserole is ready when the mixture underneath is bubbling and thoroughly heated, the tater tots are hot and tender, and the cheese on top has melted. Since the ground beef is cooked before assembly, the slow-cooking time mainly allows the flavors to develop and the remaining ingredients to heat through.
Conclusion
Crock Pot Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole brings together everything you want from an easy comfort-food dinner: savory seasoned beef, rich tomato flavor, tender potatoes, and plenty of melted cheddar cheese. The simple preparation and hands-off slow-cooker method make it especially convenient when you need a filling family meal without a lot of last-minute work.
Serve it straight from the slow cooker with green onions or your favorite chili toppings, and pair it with a simple vegetable or salad for a complete dinner. With plenty of ways to customize the heat, cheese, vegetables, and toppings, it’s also an easy recipe to adapt to your family’s preferences.
Crock Pot Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
A hearty slow cooker casserole loaded with seasoned ground beef, chili flavors, crispy-edged tater tots, and plenty of melted cheddar cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 (1 ounce) packets mild chili seasoning (can use no or low sodium)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 10.5 ounces can diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained (like Rotel)
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 28 ounces frozen tater tots (no need to thaw first)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- Sliced green onions, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown and crumble the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease. For extra-soft onions, cook the diced onion with the ground beef.
- Add the cooked ground beef and diced onion to a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add the salt, black pepper, mild chili seasoning, minced garlic, drained diced tomatoes with green chiles, tomato sauce, and ½ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir to combine.
- Spread the frozen tater tots in an even layer over the ground beef mixture.
- Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or on high for 2–3 hours. Cooking on low is recommended. To reduce condensation and help prevent soggy tater tots, place a layer of 2–3 paper towels under the slow cooker lid.
- During the last 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the tater tots. Cover and continue cooking until the cheese is melted.
- Serve hot, garnished with sliced green onions if desired.
Notes
- For softer onions, sauté them with the ground beef before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Low- or no-sodium chili seasoning can be used to reduce the sodium.
- There is no need to thaw the frozen tater tots before adding them.
- Cooking on low is recommended for the best texture.
- Placing 2–3 paper towels beneath the slow cooker lid can absorb condensation and help keep the tater tots from becoming too soggy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 590 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1280 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
