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Tater Tots Casserole
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Taco Tater Tot Casserole

This high-protein Taco Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate cozy weeknight dinner. Made with ground turkey, cottage cheese, salsa, and crispy tater tots, it’s cheesy, hearty, and perfect for meal prep.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
SERVINGS: 6

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground turkey or ground beef
  • 1 cup cottage cheese blended completely smooth
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1 cup black beans drained and rinsed (optional)
  • 1 cup corn drained (optional)
  • 1 cup Mexican blend cheese shredded
  • 1 bag frozen tater tots

Suggested toppings for serving:

  • Sour cream
  • Guacamole or sliced avocado
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Diced tomato
  • Pickled jalapeños
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

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  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13 baking dish and set aside.
  • Blend cottage cheese until completely smooth using a blender or immersion blender. Set aside.
  • Cook ground turkey in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks, until no pink remains. If using ground beef, drain the fat at this point.
  • Stir in taco seasoning and tomato paste. Cook for about 1 minute until the paste coats the meat and begins to caramelize slightly.
  • Add salsa, black beans, and corn. Stir to combine and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the filling looks slightly thick and not soupy. If it looks watery, simmer another minute.
  • Stir in the blended cottage cheese until fully combined and smooth. Remove from heat.
  • Transfer the filling to the greased baking dish and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the filling.
  • Arrange frozen tater tots in a single tight layer on top of the cheese. Do not thaw first.
  • Bake uncovered at 375°F for 30 minutes until tater tots are golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges. For extra crispy tots, broil for 2 to 3 minutes at the end, watching closely.
  • Let rest for 5 minutes before scooping. Serve with toppings at the tabl

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 375°F for best results. The microwave works but makes the tots soft. In the air fryer, single portions take about 5 to 8 minutes to get crispy again.
Blend the cottage cheese. It has to be completely smooth before going into the filling. Unblended cottage cheese leaves visible lumps even after baking.
Keep the filling from being watery. Drain beans and corn well and let the filling simmer until it looks slightly thick before transferring to the baking dish. Too much moisture = soggy tots.
Always bake uncovered. Covering traps steam and prevents the tots from crisping up.
Make-ahead: Assemble through step 8, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10 to 15 minutes to the bake time when cooking from cold.
To freeze: Assemble unbaked, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 265kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 1098mg | Potassium: 604mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1083IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 269mg | Iron: 2mg