Chili Cheese Dog Tater Tot Casserole

Name: Chili Cheese Dog Tater Tot Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 2 tbsp chili powder; 8 hot dogs, sliced; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 1 (15 oz) can chili beans; 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1 (30 oz) bag frozen tater tots; Sliced green onions, for garnish; Yellow mustard, for serving

This Chili Cheese Dog Tater Tot Casserole layers savory ground beef, sliced hot dogs, and chili beans with diced tomatoes, then tops it all with shredded cheddar and frozen tater tots for a crispy, cheesy finish—a simple one-pan meal that comes together in under an hour.

🌍American 🏷️Casserole 🏷️Tater tot casserole 🏷️Chili cheese 🏷️Hot dog Ground beef

🏷️

🏷️Comfort food

-0:00

cookinginthemidwestonTikTok

Total

50 min

Servings

6

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$23–$38

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by cookinginthemidwest

-0:00

cookinginthemidwestonTikTok

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 tbsp chili powder
8 hot dogs, sliced
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 (15 oz) can chili beans
1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 (30 oz) bag frozen tater tots
Sliced green onions, for garnishoptional
Yellow mustard, for servingoptional

12 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
In a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and diced onion.
2
Season with chili powder and cook, breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and the onion is soft.
3
Add the sliced hot dogs and minced garlic, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4
Stir in the can of chili beans, the can of diced tomatoes with green chiles, and the tomato paste. Mix everything together until well combined.
5
Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the chili mixture.
6
Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese, covering the entire surface.
7
Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the casserole is bubbly.
8
Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with sliced green onions and a drizzle of yellow mustard, if desired.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the ground beef and cook the onion and garlic until fragrant before adding spices—this builds flavor depth and prevents raw garlic taste.
Drain excess fat from the meat mixture before adding beans and tomatoes to avoid a greasy casserole.
Arrange tater tots in a single layer on top and do not stir them into the filling—this keeps them crispy rather than soggy.
For extra cheese pull, sprinkle an additional ½ cup cheddar under the tater tots before baking.

Substitutions

Ground beef → ground turkey (use same amount, slightly leaner result)
Cheddar cheese → Monterey Jack or pepper jack (spicier flavor profile)
Canned chili beans → kidney beans in tomato sauce (milder, fewer spices)
Hot dogs → smoked sausage, sliced (earthier, smokier note)

Storage & make-ahead

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat covered at 350°F for 15–20 minutes until warmed through.

Common Questions

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the casserole (without tater tots) up to 24 hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Add tater tots and bake just before serving to keep them crispy.

How do I know when the tater tots are done?

Bake until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy on top, about 30–35 minutes at 350°F. They should be firm, not soft.

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen tater tots?

Frozen tater tots are essential for the crispy texture. Fresh potatoes won't achieve the same result and would require longer cooking.

What can I substitute for ground beef?

Ground turkey or ground pork work as alternatives. Use the same amount and cook until browned. Ground chicken may be too lean and less flavorful for this dish.