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Crock Pots and Flip Flops | Recipes

Slow Cooker Mexican Tater Tot Casserole

Modified: Aug 14, 2024 · Published: Feb 26, 2021 by Allison Treadwell · This post may contain affiliate links · 18 Comments

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Slow Cooker Mexican Tater Tot Casserole is loaded with ground beef, cheese and tater tots! Making this a new gluten-free family favorite for taco night! This one pot recipe is a crowd pleaser since kids and adults both will love this tasty tater tot casserole. You must make this cheesy, beefy, tater tot filled casserole. I promise you won't regret it!

Disclaimer- Some links below are Amazon affiliate links, meaning at no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

My kids and husband love anything with tater tots in them. When someone requested to try my delicious Beefy Taco Casserole with tater tots I didn't need very much convincing! When I got a coupon for Ore-Ida Potatoes I knew exactly what I was making that week for Taco Tuesday.

I am a big fan of casseroles like Kielbasa Casserole to Mac and Cheese. They are so easy to make in the Crock Pot and make my life easier. I love to come home and know there is a delicious hot meal ready to serve for dinner.

Slow Cooker Mexican Tater Tot Casserole is one of those casseroles that is a perfect dinner for a busy night. This meal can be done cooking on high in 2 hours or on low for 5 hours. So it works for whatever your schedule is. All you do is layer 3 ingredients in the Crock Pot and it becomes a delicious meal everyone will devour.

This was my first time trying Tater Tots in the Crock Pot and my husband was a little skeptical. Once he tried it he said it one of his favorite meals ever. I think I see a lot more Tater Tot Casseroles in my future!

Toppings for Slow Cooker Mexican Tater Tot Casserole

Since we were making this for a family dinner I kept the recipe simple knowing my kids will always eat beef, potatoes and cheese. However, the adults love to add lots of toppings to this meal to make it extra tasty. Here are a few ideas to add to yours that we tried!

  • Sour Cream
  • Green Onions
  • Avocado
  • Salsa
  • Chopped Tomatoes
  • Shredded Lettuce
  • Jalapeños (my husband loves spicy food)
  • Cilantro

Plus if your kids are more adventurous than mine you could also add veggies into the casserole. Black beans and corn would be easy to throw in when you start cooking it. Making this a one pot meal with veggies included.

Gluten Free Dinner

The most important part is naturally gluten free, TATER TOTS! I make everything gluten free in our house because my husband has celiac disease, which is when you are allergic to gluten. However, there are a few things to be careful of to make sure to keep it gluten free.

Spice Packets commonly have gluten added to them including Taco Seasoning. Always make sure and check the label before you buy any spice packets, gravy packets or really anything that comes in a packet. I used this Old El Paso one that is gluten free.

Also, don’t swap the Velveeta in this recipe for Cream of Cheddar Soup. This also has gluten in it as do most “Cream of” Anything Soup. I’m not sure why but they love to add gluten to canned soups.

How to Make Slow Cooker Mexican Tater Tot Casserole

Step 1. Layer the bottom of the Crock Pot with tater tots. Add ground beef on top and then Velveeta.

Slow Cooker Mexican Tater Tot Casserole

Step 2. Sprinkle Taco Seasoning over everything and lightly stir.

Slow Cooker Mexican Tater Tot Casserole

Step 3. Cover with remaining tater tots.

Step 4. Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 5-6 hours.

Step 5. Remove lid and top with 1 cup shredded cheese. Cover and let cheese melt for 10 minutes.

Slow Cooker Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
Slow Cooker Mexican Tater Tot Casserole

Slow Cooker Mexican Tater Tot Casserole

Allison Treadwell
Slow Cooker Mexican Tater Tot Casserole is loaded with ground beef, cheese, and tater tots! This gluten-free dinner will become a family favorite.
4.19 from 66 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 4 hours hrs
Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Course Breakfast, Dinner
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6 servings
Calories 675 kcal

Equipment

  • Crock Pot

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 pound ground beef browned
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 32 oz bag of tater tots frozen
  • 12 oz Velveeta Cheese cubed
  • 6 oz Diced green chile optional
  • 1 packet Taco Spice
  • 1 cup shredded cheese

Instructions
 

  • Brown ground beef with minced garlic. Leave a little bit of pink - beef will finish cooking in the Crock Pot.
  • Layer the bottom of the Crock Pot with tater tots. Add ground beef on top and then Velveeta.
  • Add 6 oz of diced green chile and spread evenly
  • Sprinkle taco seasoning over everything and lightly stir.
  • Cover with remaining hash browns.
  • Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 3-5 hours. SEE NOTES.
  • Remove lid and top with 1 cup shredded cheese. Cover and let cheese melt for 10 minutes.
  • Optional - place Crock Pot (insert only) with food into a broiler on High for 10 minutes. This will brown the top and add a little crispiness to the top layer.

Video

Notes

Green Chiles:  This is an optional ingredient. You can choose to leave it out if you have people who don't like spice. Or, you can add more. Please choose your spice level as you see fit.
Cooking Time: The size of your Crock Pot matters. If you are using a 6-7 quart Crock Pot you will want to cook for less time than if you're using a 3-4 quart Crock Pot. The larger units will cook this meal faster than smaller units.
  • Cook Time for 6-7 Quart: 3 hours on low
  • Cook Time for 3-4 Quart: 4-5 hours on low
If You Experience Burning at the Bottom: Because this recipe is low on liquid, there is a chance that the very bottom of the tater tots might burn a little if left too long in the Crock Pot. No problem! It is very easy to scrape that layer off. 
Great for Breakfast Too! This is a great recipe for breakfast burritos. I like to use my leftovers for on-the-go breakfasts. Just put a little of the Tater Tot Casserole on a tortilla, add some scrambled egg, and wrap it up!

Nutrition

Calories: 675kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 32gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 2332mgPotassium: 843mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1272IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 467mgIron: 3mg
Keyword ground beef, slow cooker beef, slow cooker dinner, tater tot casserole
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Comments

  1. Tom Maysonet says

    October 27, 2021 at 9:19 am

    Do you precook the tots or are they frozen when you put it in the crock pot?

    Reply
    • allisonetreadwell says

      October 27, 2021 at 9:51 am

      Hi Tom! They are frozen when you put them in. Hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
      • Taunya D Allred says

        January 05, 2022 at 8:18 am

        Do the tator tots get any crisp to them. My family likes a bit of crunch with their tator tots. Also have you tried other cheeses?

        Reply
        • allisonetreadwell says

          January 05, 2022 at 9:17 am

          Hi Taunya! They do get a little crisp to them but not as much as the oven. You could put them in the oven for the last ten minutes. Most Crock Pots can go in the oven up to 400 degrees. I haven't tried it with other cheeses but I'm sure you could use shredded cheddar as a substitute for Velvetta if you wanted to.

          Reply
  2. sarah c brammer says

    November 14, 2021 at 11:36 am

    Hi!
    Once cooked, can it be frozen-- as in I'd like to freeze a few dishes and deliver them to my friend for her family to eat throughout week?

    Reply
    • allisonetreadwell says

      November 15, 2021 at 6:30 pm

      Hi Sarah! I think it will freeze and taste good. I'm thinking the potatoes might not hold their shape but I still think it will all taste great together. I like to make this white chicken chili for people because they can eat it alone or use it for tacos, nachos, burritos. https://www.crockpotsandflipflops.com/white-chicken-chili/

      Reply
  3. Christina Poulsen says

    June 12, 2022 at 9:16 am

    What can I use instead of Velveeta?
    We do not have that in Europe

    Reply
    • Allison Treadwell says

      June 13, 2022 at 10:02 am

      HI Christina! I would just use 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. If you wanted to you could add a little cream cheese to give it the creamy effect of Velvetta but I think it would work just fine with regular shredded cheese.

      Reply
  4. Pam says

    April 24, 2023 at 4:23 am

    2 stars
    I had it in the slow cooker for 2 hours and the bottom burnt. I think an hour would be enough.

    Reply
    • Allison Treadwell says

      May 09, 2023 at 10:37 am

      Hi Pam, Thanks for the feedback and I'm sorry to hear it was burned...

      Reply
    • Matt Fay says

      August 14, 2024 at 10:07 am

      The time can depend upon your Crock Pot. A larger unit will cook hotter than a smaller unit. If you're cooking in a 3-4 quart Crock Pot then you can get away with 4-5 hours on low. But if you're using a larger unit, like 6-8 quarts, then you can probably go with 2 hours or so on low.

      I've had the bottom burn before. But I find it super easy when removing the casserole from the Crock Pot to just spoon off the top of that layer. Meaning, leave the burnt layer (super thin layer) in the pot and scoop out the good stuff.

      Reply
  5. Carolyn Rodgers says

    August 10, 2023 at 11:31 am

    If you use the Mexican Velveeta cheese would you need the taco seasoning.

    Reply
  6. LinB says

    August 14, 2023 at 7:04 am

    I would add the taco seasoning to the ground beef while it is still in the skillet rather than try to stir lightly. That way I would leave the layers untouched.

    Reply
  7. Karen Wendt says

    October 23, 2023 at 1:41 pm

    I added sautéed half of an orange pepper, half red, half yellow pepper and a small onion, and the cloves of garlic. I mixed the taco seasoning into the browned burger. I used shredded “Mexican” cheese. It’sso good! My GrandTeenagers love it.
    It sticks to the side of the crockpot. I had it on the 6 hour setting but it was ready in 2hours. Delicious.

    Reply
  8. Karen Wendt says

    October 23, 2023 at 1:42 pm

    I added sautéed half of an orange pepper, half red, half yellow pepper and a small onion, and the cloves of garlic. I mixed the taco seasoning into the browned burger. I used shredded “Mexican” cheese. It’sso good! My GrandTeenagers love it.
    It sticks to the side of the crockpot. I had it on the 6 hour setting but it was ready in 2hours.

    Reply
    • Allison Treadwell says

      October 24, 2023 at 10:56 am

      So happy you liked it!!!

      Reply
  9. Pat Branch says

    August 10, 2024 at 1:28 pm

    With no liquid in this casserole dis it get really dry?msounds good but sorry about moisture with all the potatoes.

    Reply
    • Matt Fay says

      August 14, 2024 at 10:14 am

      Hi Pat! It does not come out dry at all! With the lid closed on the Crock Pot, all the existing moisture from the frozen tots, the beef, and the Velveeta are trapped inside. You can see the condensation on the top of your lid within an hour of starting the crock pot! The one thing to watch though, is that without extra added moisture from sauces, broths, etc., is that the very bottom later of tots can burn just a tad if left on too long. It's not a huge deal though - we're talking a SUPER thin little layer. Easy to avoid serving it when dishing.

      Reply
4.19 from 66 votes (65 ratings without comment)

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