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Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole

Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole

  • Author: Michael
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This easy Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole combines smoky turkey bacon, melted plant-based cheese, and crispy golden tater tots over a rich chili base for a hearty, comforting meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. Ready in under an hour, it offers balanced flavors with a comforting texture everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Meat

  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 6 slices smoky turkey bacon

Chili Base

  • 1 cup canned kidney beans or black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (natural)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Topping

  • 1 bag (about 32 oz) frozen tater tots
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded plant-based cheese (plant-based)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chili Base: Cook the ground turkey with chopped onions and minced garlic in a large pan over medium heat until browned and fragrant. Add diced tomatoes, canned beans, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar (natural), chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well and simmer the chili mixture for 20 minutes to meld the flavors.
  2. Crisp the Turkey Bacon: While the chili simmers, fry the smoky turkey bacon until crisp. After cooking, chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Assemble the Layers: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a baking dish, spread half of the chili evenly across the bottom. Sprinkle half of the chopped turkey bacon and half of the shredded plant-based cheese on top. Add the remaining chili layer, then top with the rest of the cheese and turkey bacon evenly.
  4. Add the Tater Tot Topping: Spread the frozen tater tots evenly over the assembled layers to create a crispy golden topping.
  5. Bake Until Golden and Bubbling: Bake the casserole for 30 to 35 minutes or until the tater tots are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh chili powder and cumin to enhance the chili’s flavor.
  • Do not overcrowd the baking dish to ensure tater tots crisp evenly.
  • Allow casserole to rest before serving for cleaner slices and better texture.
  • Add cheese before final tater tot layer for perfect melting.
  • Adjust chili powder and spices to your preferred heat level.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 700 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 7 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 35 mg

Keywords: Chili cheese casserole, Tater tot casserole, Plant-based cheese casserole, Turkey bacon casserole, Comfort food, Easy weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://classicrecipehub.com/chili-cheese-tater-tot-casserole/