Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef, preferably 85% lean
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 1 medium red pepper (optional), finely diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 4 ounces canned green chiles
- 1 ounce (or 2-3 tbsp) taco seasoning, packaged or homemade blend
- 15 ounces black beans, rinsed & drained
- 10 ounces frozen corn
- 3 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 10 ounces red enchilada sauce
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
Garnishing Suggestions:
- Fresh cilantro
- Creamy sour cream
- Ripe tomatoes
- Flavorful guacamole
- Sliced olives
- Chopped green onions
- Tangy hot sauce
Instructions:
- Adjust the oven rack to the center and preheat to 400°F (204°C). Prep your baking dish with a non-stick spray.
- In a bowl, whisk together taco seasoning ingredients until well-blended.
- Using a large skillet, sauté beef, onions, and red peppers. Crumble the beef while sautéing and stir in garlic towards the end. Drain any excess fat.
- Integrate green chiles, taco seasoning, beans, corn, and half the cheese into the beef mix. Ensure even mixing.
- Transfer the meaty mixture into the baking dish. Drizzle the enchilada sauce evenly, then layer tater tots atop.
- Bake until tater tots turn a crispy golden hue (around 30-40 minutes). Sprinkle the remaining cheese and bake for another 2-3 minutes for a melty finish.
Notes:
- For ultra-crunchy tots, pre-bake them for 10 minutes as per their package before adding to the casserole.
- Opt for lean ground beef, ideally 85% or leaner.
- Consider crafting your taco seasoning; it’s economical, healthier, and tastier. This dish typically requires 2-3 tbsp.