Oh, bless the humble tater tot casserole. When you’re juggling four kids and their endless schedules—soccer practice, piano lessons, geometry homework—you need a dinner that delivers massive comfort and zero fuss. Seriously, sometimes I just stare blankly into the fridge at 5 PM and think, “There has to be a better way!” Well, friends, this Mexican-Style Potato Puff Casserole is that better way. It’s a total winner.
Recipes
The Filling
- 2 pounds bulk ground beef
- 1 pouch of proprietary taco seasoning blend
- 1 standard-sized can of yellow corn fully drained
- 1 standard-sized can of condensed nacho cheese soup
The Topping
- 32 ounce bag of frozen cylindrical potato puffs tater tots
- 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Set your oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cook Meat: Place the ground beef into a large pan or skillet set over a medium-high burner. Stir and brown the meat completely until no pink remains. Once finished, discard all accumulated grease.
- Seasoning: Reduce the heat beneath the pan to low. Introduce the entire contents of the taco seasoning packet and sauté for two to three minutes.
- Combine Filling: Incorporate the drained corn and the condensed nacho cheese soup into the seasoned meat. Continue mixing and cooking gently for a maximum of two minutes to fully combine the ingredients.
- Assemble Base: Transfer the entire warm meat mixture and soup base into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking vessel that has been lightly oiled or sprayed.
- Add Potato Puffs: Arrange the frozen cylindrical potato puffs over the meat base in a single, even layer.
- Initial Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and let it cook for a duration of forty-five minutes.
- Final Cheese Layer: Carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Evenly distribute the shredded cheddar cheese across the top of the potato puffs.
- Finish Baking: Return the casserole to the oven for an additional five minutes, or until the cheese has achieved a complete melt.
- Serve: Allow to cool briefly before portioning and enjoying.