Description
A hearty, cheesy, crowd-pleasing casserole with a thick, flavorful chili base and a crisp tater tot topping—perfect for game day, potlucks, or cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
1 green bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 lb ground beef
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juices)
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1 cup beef broth
2 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp kosher salt (plus more to taste)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (about 12 oz), divided
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (about 4 oz)
2 green onions, thinly sliced (optional)
1/2 cup sour cream (optional, for serving)
Instructions
1) Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2) Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; cook 5–6 minutes until softened. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds.
3) Add ground beef and cook 7–9 minutes, breaking it up, until browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
4) Stir in tomato paste; cook 1 minute. Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper; stir to combine.
5) Add kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, and beef broth. Simmer 8–10 minutes until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning.
6) Spread chili into the baking dish. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups cheddar over the chili.
7) Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
8) Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
9) Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheddar plus Monterey Jack over the tots. Bake 10–12 minutes more until melted and golden.
10) Rest 10 minutes. Garnish with green onions if desired and serve with sour cream.
Notes
For crispier tots, bake the casserole uncovered and add the final cheese layer near the end as directed.
If the chili seems thin, simmer a few extra minutes before assembling to reduce excess liquid.
Leftovers reheat best in the oven at 350°F for 15–20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes