Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole
As you might have noticed by now, crockpot recipes are some of my all-time favorite to create and share with you, and today we’ve got a total classic that’s fuss free, simple to prep, and a great choice if you want something cozy, comforting, and family friendly!
I’ve seen versions of this crockpot tater tot casserole floating around for decades now. It’s a really nostalic classic, so I knew I had to do some testing and trialing in my kitchen to bring you my spin on it. Everything gets layered right into the slow cooker, starting with tater tots, followed by seasoned beef and plenty of cheese, then finished with another layer of tots on top. That’s it! It might just be one of the easiest crockpot recipes you’ll ever make.
While you’re here, I think you’ll also like my crockpot taco casserole, crockpot cheeseburger soup, crockpot spaghetti meat sauce, crockpot chili, crockpot jambalaya, and crockpot sausage & peppers.
Ingredients
Here I’m going to walk you through the ingredients selected and share some extra notes, before moving in to the step-by-step process. If you prefer a printable recipe card, you’ll find one at the bottom of this post!
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Frozen tater tots — No need to thaw; they go straight into the crockpot and create those nostalgic, crispy-on-the-edges layers.
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Ground beef, browned and drained — Keeps the casserole hearty and filling while avoiding extra grease.
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Shredded cheddar cheese — Melts into the layers and gives you that classic cheesy finish everyone expects.
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Cheese sauce — Adds extra creaminess and helps bind everything together.
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Taco seasoning — Brings just enough flavor without making things complicated.
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Minced onion — Adds a little savory depth without overpowering the dish.
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Fresh cilantro (optional) — A simple garnish if you want a pop of freshness on top.
How To Make Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole
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Lightly spray the inside of the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.
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Add about half of the tater tots to the bottom of the crockpot and spread them into an even layer.
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In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, cheese sauce, taco seasoning, garlic, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until well combined.
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Spoon the beef mixture over the tater tots in the crockpot and spread it evenly.
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Top with the remaining tater tots, arranging them into a single layer.
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Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
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Cover and cook on HIGH for 2½ hours. Serve warm and enjoy.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This casserole also freezes well for up to 3 months when stored the same way!
Recipe Notes
If you prefer more mellow flavors, feel free to reduce the garlic or onion so nothing stands out too much.
I used homemade taco seasoning here, but whatever you have works just fine. Add more if you like it bold. Totally up to you!
Crockpot liners work just as well as nonstick spray and make cleanup even easier.
I like using jalapeño cheese sauce for a little extra kick, but any cheese sauce you love will work too!
Serving Ideas
Serve this crockpot tater tot casserole straight from the slow cooker with plenty of extra toppings so everyone can build their own bowl. I love this kind of casual dinner set-up and I find it’s perfect if you’ve got fussy eaters!
Great topping ideas include sour cream, diced tomatoes, green onions, jalapeños, or extra shredded cheese.
It also works well as a casual potluck or game-day dish, since it stays warm and feeds a crowd without any fuss.
Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
- 1 pound ground beef browned and drained
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 10.5 ounces cheese sauce
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- ½ tablespoon minced onion
- Freshly chopped cilantro optional garnish
Instructions
- Lightly spray the inside of the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add about half of the tater tots to the bottom of the crockpot and spread them into an even layer.
- In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, cheese sauce, taco seasoning, garlic, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until well combined.
- Spoon the beef mixture over the tater tots in the crockpot and spread it evenly.
- Top with the remaining tater tots, arranging them into a single layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 2½ hours. Serve warm and enjoy.
When it comes to crockpot dinners that are fuss free and family friendly, you really can’t beat this one! Always a crowd pleaser, and I hope it proves to be a recipe you come back to again and again. Once you’ve tried it, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It helps other readers, and it also gives me lots of inspiration for more recipes that I can share with you!
