Pioneer Woman Taco Tots Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Taco Tots Recipe is a cheesy and crispy recipe, which is made with ground beef and tater tots. It’s a quick weeknight dinner, ready in about 35 minutes.

Pioneer Woman Taco Tots Recipe Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 chopped onion
• 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
• 1 tsp each of cumin and dried cilantro
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 can Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chiles, not drained
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded Colby Jack Cheese, divided
• 1 bag (16-32 oz) Tater Tots or Crispy Crowns
• Buffalo Wild Wing’s Southwest Ranch, for serving (optional)

How To Make Pioneer Woman Taco Tots Recipe

1. Preheat Oven and Brown Beef: Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and chopped onion over medium-high heat until the meat is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Season the Filling: To the skillet, add the salt, pepper, cumin, dried cilantro, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir to combine.
3. Create the Creamy Base: Stir in the drained corn, the undrained can of Rotel, the sour cream, and 1 cup of the shredded Colby Jack cheese.
4. Assemble the Casserole: Spread the beef mixture evenly into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the top. Arrange the Tater Tots in a single layer over the cheese.
5. Bake: Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the casserole is bubbly.
6. Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Drizzle with Southwest Ranch dressing if desired.

Recipe Tips

• How do I get extra crispy tater tots? For the crispiest possible topping, you can broil the casserole for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Watch it carefully to prevent burning.
• Can I use a different meat? Yes, this recipe is great with ground turkey or shredded chicken as well.
• How can I make this dish lighter? To reduce the fat and calories, you can use lean ground beef or turkey and substitute plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream.
• Can I make this ahead of time? You can assemble the beef and cheese mixture and spread it in the baking dish. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, top with the tater tots and bake as directed, possibly adding a few extra minutes to the cook time.

What To Serve With Taco Tots

This is a hearty all-in-one casserole, but it’s also great with:

• A dollop of sour cream, guacamole, or salsa
• Sliced jalapeños or pickled onions
• A simple side salad

How To Store Taco Tots

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The tater tots will soften upon refrigeration. Reheat: For best results, reheat in the oven or an air fryer at 375°F until the tots are crispy and the filling is hot.

Taco Tots Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 770 kcal
• Protein: 35g
• Fat: 50g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Sodium: 1400mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Pioneer Woman Taco Tots Recipe

Recipe by MarryCourse: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Calories

770

kcal

A fun and easy casserole that combines seasoned taco meat with a creamy, cheesy base, all topped with crispy tater tots.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 chopped onion

• 1/2 tsp each salt & pepper

• 1 tsp each cumin & dried cilantro

• 2 tsp chili powder

• 1/4 tsp cayenne

• 1 can corn, drained

• 1 can Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chiles, undrained

• 1 cup sour cream

• 2 cups shredded Colby Jack Cheese, divided

• 1 bag Tater Tots

Directions

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Brown the beef and onion in a skillet; drain the grease.
• Stir in all the seasonings.
• Add the corn, Rotel, sour cream, and 1 cup of the cheese. Stir to combine.
• Spread the mixture in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.
• Arrange the tater tots in a single layer on top.
• Bake for 30–35 minutes until the tots are golden and the casserole is bubbly.

Notes

• Meat Swaps: Try this with ground turkey or shredded chicken for a different take.
• Lighter Version: Use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter, tangier casserole.
• Crispier Top: Broil the casserole for the last 2-3 minutes for an extra-crispy tater tot topping.
• Make Ahead: Assemble the meat base in advance, then top with tots and bake when ready to eat.