Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole is an easy weeknight dinner and so easy to make on the grill. A quick ground beef chili topped with frozen tater tots and plenty of melted cheese is an irresistible combination.
Why You Should Make Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole on the Grill
- A comforting and delicious dinner that everyone will love.
- Quick and easy recipe with just a few ingredients.
- Make it for game day to feed a crowd.
- It’s so much better than the Sonic version and grilling the tots is a little healthier than deep frying them.
Ingredients for Chili Cheese Tots
- Lean Ground Beef – we are using 80/20.
- Onion – diced.
- Pinto Beans – Rinsed and drained.
- Tomato Sauce – We are using our roasted tomato sauce, any store brand works.
- Petite Diced Tomatoes – with juice.
- Chili Seasoning – We are using our homemade mix. If you are using a store bought package, use 1- 2 packages and adjust to your preference.
- Frozen Tater Tots – We used almost a whole package, depending on your pan you may use more or less.
- Olive Oil – Spray over the tater tots to help them crisp up.
- Cheddar Cheese – Shredded, colby-jack or pepper jack are great options too.
- Cilantro – optional garnish.
- Candied Jalapenos – optional for serving.
- Sour Cream – optional for serving.
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Step By Step Directions for Chili Tater Tot Casserole
- Prepare a grill fire, we are cooking on the Big Green Egg with lump charcoal and hickory chunks for smoke flavor.
- Place a 12 inch cast iron skillet directly over the fire.
- Add ground beef and break up with a spatula, stirring often to brown all sides.
- Dump in the diced onion and continue to cook, stirring with the spatula. Cook 3- 4 minutes.
- Stir in the pinto beans.
- Next, add the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.
- Spoon in chili seasoning, adjusting to taste.
- Top with frozen tater tots, covering the entire pan.
- Spray or brush with olive oil.
- Close the grill and cook 30-40 minutes until tater tots are cooked through and crispy.
- Top with shredded cheese, close the grill and cook 4-5 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Carefully remove from the grill.
- Garnish with cilantro. Serve with candied jalapenos and sour cream if desired.
How to Store and Reheat
- Leftover chili is always better the next day. Store leftovers in a metal pie plate or baking dish, covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a 350° oven for about 10- 15 minutes. If it starts to get to brown, cover loosely with foil.
Recipe Notes and Variations
- Use your favorite chili recipe or canned chili if desired. Thick chili works best for the casserole.
- Ground venison works great with the ground beef or in place of the ground beef.
- Diced bell peppers can be added with the onions if desired.
- Make Ahead: The chili can be made ahead (on the stove top) and refrigerated. Assemble casserole, adding tater tots just before grilling.
You might also like this Cowboy Casserole made with leftover brisket and cheesy tater tots.
Our Favorite Chili Recipes
If you are looking for a quick and easy meal on the grill, this Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole recipe is sure to please.
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Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole is an easy weeknight dinner and so easy to make on the grill. A quick ground beef chili topped with frozen tater tots and plenty of melted cheese is an irresistible combination.
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 763kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef – we used 80/20
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 pound cooked or canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 4 cups tomato sauce
- 14.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes with juice
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons chili seasoning 1-2 packets if using store bought
- 28 ounce frozen tater tots
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro optional garnish
- candied jalapenos for serving optional
- sour cream for serving optional
Instructions
- Prepare a grill fire to 350°. We are cooking on the Big Green Egg with lump charcoal and hickory chunks for smoke flavor.
- Place a 12 inch cast iron skillet directly over the fire.
- Add ground beef and break up with a spatula, stirring often to brown all sides.
- Dump in the diced onion and continue to cook, stirring with the spatula. Cook 3- 4 minutes.
- Stir in the pinto beans, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.
- Spoon in chili seasoning, adjusting to taste.
- Top with frozen tater tots, covering the entire pan.
- Spray or brush with olive oil.
- Close the grill and cook 30-40 minutes until tater tots are cooked through and crispy.
- Top with shredded cheese, close the grill and cook 4-5 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Carefully remove from the grill using oven mitts.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve with candied jalapenos and sour cream if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 763kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 2146mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 20g
