If you're looking for a hearty, easy-to-make dinner that the whole family will love, this chili cheese tater tot casserole is it! If you've never combined meaty chili with crispy tater tots, you're in for a real comfort food treat.
This recipe is one of my family's go-to meals on a chilly day. Chunky chili made with ground turkey is topped with frozen tater tots, and shredded cheddar cheese, then baked until golden and bubbly.
For more comfort food recipes, check out our southern homemade chicken and dumplings and southern chicken and dressing recipes next!
Table of Contents
Important Ingredient Notes
The detailed ingredient list with measurements is in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Garlic. I always recommend freshly minced garlic. The jarred stuff doesn't have the same fresh garlic flavor.
- Ground turkey. Lean ground turkey tastes delicious in this chunky chili. Don't miss our southern baked beans with ground turkey!
- Beans. I love a combination of dark red kidney beans and pinto beans but feel free to use your favorite chili beans in this recipe. Bean lovers, check out our Louisiana red beans and rice recipe next!
- Tomatoes. Canned crushed and diced tomatoes make prep a breeze for this recipe. See how we use fresh tomatoes in our blackened salmon pasta with tomato cream sauce.
- Chicken broth. I recommend low-sodium broth. Beef or vegetable broth also works great.
- Brown sugar. A little bit of brown sugar complements the other flavors in the chili beautifully and adds a subtle hint of sweetness.
- Spices. Chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper ensure this chili is packed with flavor.
- Frozen tater tots. Crispy tater tots add an unexpected crunch and flavor combination to the hearty, chunky chili. See how we use frozen shredded potatoes in our southern hashbrown casserole!
- Shredded cheddar cheese. Shredded cheese is the perfect, melty finishing touch to this comforting casserole.
Variations and Substitutions
- Swap the ground turkey for ground beef, chicken, or bison. You can also eliminate the meat altogether.
- Beans. Try any of your favorite beans in this chili, like black beans, cannellini beans, or great northern beans.
- No tater totas? Try topping this chili casserole with frozen shredded hashbrowns or diced potatoes.
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1. Cook the chopped onion and bell pepper in olive oil over medium heat until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute then add the ground turkey.
Step 2. Season the turkey mixture with spices, brown sugar, salt, and pepper, and cook until no longer pink.
Step 3. Add the beans, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth and stir to combine. Simmer the chili for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to come together.
Step 4. Transfer the chili to a 9 x 13 baking dish and neatly place frozen tots on top of the chili in a single layer. Bake the casserole at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes.
Step 5. Carefully remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top, and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
Step 6. Finish the baked casserole with freshly chopped green onions. Cool slightly and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Save time by using canned chili instead of making your own. Three 15-ounce cans should work great.
Ground beef, shredded or ground chicken, shredded brisket, or chopped smoked sausage are excellent substitutions.
Yes! This casserole is a great way to use up leftover chili. You may need a smaller baking dish depending on how much chili you have.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
Make the chili, assemble this casserole in the baking dish the night before, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and store it in the fridge until ready to bake. Leftover chili cheese tater tot casserole can be stored in the baking dish covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
More Comforting Dinner Recipes You Will Love!
If you tried this Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
📖 Recipe
Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion - chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper - seeded and chopped
- 3 garlic cloves - minced
- 1 pound lean ground turkey - or ground beef, I used 93% lean
- 1 - 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar - light or dark
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- Salt - to taste
- Cracked black pepper - to taste
- 1 can dark red kidney beans
- 1 can pinto beans
- 1, 14.5 oz can fire rosted diced tomatoes
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1, 32 ounce bag frozen tater tots - also called potato puffs
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Freshly chopped green onions - for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- In a Dutch oven or large deep skillet, cook the chopped onion and bell pepper in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground turkey and break apart with a wooden spoon. Season with chili powder, brown sugar, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, dried oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper and stir to combine. Cook the turkey until no longer pink.
- Add the beans, tomatoes, and broth and stir the chili to combine. Season with more salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the chili for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to come together.
- Transfer the chili to a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and neatly place frozen tots on top in a single layer. Bake the casserole uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Carefully sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top of the casserole and bake for an additional five minutes until the cheese is melted. Garnish the casserole with chopped green onions, cool slightly, and enjoy.
Notes
- Save time by using canned chili instead of making your own. Three 15-ounce cans should work great.
- Ground beef, shredded or ground chicken, shredded brisket, or chopped smoked sausage are great substitutions for ground turkey.
- Make the chili, assemble this casserole in the baking dish the night before, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and store it in the fridge until ready to bake.
- Leftover chili cheese tater tot casserole can be stored in the baking dish covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nic
So good!