BBQ Tater Tot Casserole (TikTok Hotdish)
Elevate your weeknight dinners with this simple yet delicious Cowboy Casserole with Tater Tots. Layered with flavorful ground beef, mixed vegetables, and a crispy tater tot topping, this dish is a cozy, comforting meal that's perfect for any night of the week.
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 327kcal
Equipment
- baking dish
- non-stick cooking spray
- Skillet
Ingredients
Main Ingredient
- 1 lb ground beef
Spices
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- ½ tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 green pepper seeds removed and chopped
- 1 small onion diced
- 14.5 oz. canned diced tomatoes
Liquids
- ½ cup beef broth
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup sour cream
Cheese
- 1½ cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 cup + ½ cup separately
Frozen Items
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 32 oz. frozen tator tots keep frozen
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Start by adding 1 lb of ground beef to a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir the beef frequently until it's completely browned. If there's any excess grease, make sure to drain it off.
- Season the Beef: To the browned beef, add 1 tbsp of cumin, 1 tbsp of chili powder, ½ tbsp of garlic powder, 1 tsp of salt, and ¼ tsp of black pepper. Mix everything well to ensure the beef is evenly seasoned.
- Cook the Veggies: Remove the beef from the skillet temporarily. In the same skillet, add the chopped green pepper and diced small onion. Cook these until the onion is tender, which should take about 5-6 minutes.
- Combine Beef and Veggies: Return the seasoned beef to the skillet with the tender onions and green peppers. Add 14.5 oz of canned diced tomatoes, 1 cup of frozen corn kernels, ½ cup of beef broth, and ½ cup of BBQ sauce. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Add Creaminess and Cheese: Mix in ¼ cup of sour cream and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese into the beef and veggie mixture.
- Assemble the Casserole: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Spread half of the 32 oz of frozen tater tots at the bottom of the dish. Then, layer all of the beef mixture on top of the tater tots. Finish by placing the remaining tater tots on top and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over everything.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the assembled casserole in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until it's bubbly and hot throughout.
Video
Notes
Can this dinner be prepped ahead?
I do not recommend prepping cowboy casserole ahead. The corn and tater tots are best kept frozen and not thawed, making this an impossible dish to completely prep and leave for a significant amount of time.
Spice it up – With freshly chopped green chilies or a drained can of jalapenos.
Crispy Tater Tot Layer – If you want a slightly crispier tater tot, throw it under the broiler for a few minutes. Just remember that broilers work FAST in hot ovens and it’s very easy to burn. Check minute by minute until the desired color is reached.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 327kcal