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A delicious casserole dish featuring crispy tater tots topped with melted cheese and spicy chili, garnished with green onions on a baking dish.

Easy Chili Cheese Tater Tot Bake: Your New Family Favorite!

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Discover how to make an irresistible Easy Chili Cheese Tater Tot Bake, a delicious Tater Tot Casserole that the whole family will love. Learn tips, tricks, and enjoy it today! This quick and cheesy recipe combines savory chili, gooey cheese, and crispy tater tots for the perfect comfort food. Ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that requires minimal prep but delivers maximum flavor.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (32 oz) bag of frozen tater tots
  • 2 cups cooked chili (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (optional for extra gooeyness)
  • ½ cup chopped green onions (for garnish)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cooking spray or butter for greasing

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or coat it with butter to prevent sticking.
  2. Spread half of the frozen tater tots evenly across the bottom of the dish. This creates a crispy base for your chili cheese casserole.
  3. Scoop the cooked chili over the tater tots, spreading it evenly. For an extra flavor boost, sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper onto the chili.
  4. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese along with Monterey Jack cheese, if using, over the chili layer. Cheese adds that irresistible gooey texture and rich flavor.
  5. Place the remaining frozen tater tots on top of the cheese layer, covering everything evenly. This ensures each bite is crispy and satisfying.
  6. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the tater tots are crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Sprinkle chopped green onions on top for freshness and color. Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your flavorful chili cheese tater tot casserole!

Notes

  • For extra heat, add sliced jalapeños on top before baking.
  • You can prepare the chili ahead of time and store it in the fridge until ready to assemble.
  • Using homemade chili enhances flavor, but store-bought works perfectly too.
  • To make this dish gluten-free, ensure the chili and tater tots are gluten-free.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Author: Serena Miller
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Standard

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 380 kcal Kcal
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 850mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 16g
  • Cholesterol: 65mg