When life gets busy and bellies get hungry (especially if you’ve got a house full of big eaters), you need a dinner that’s hearty, hands-off, and guaranteed to please the crowd. Enter: Crockpot Taco Tater Tot Casserole, the ultimate mashup of comfort food and Tex-Mex flavor. It’s everything you love about taco night, layered with crispy tater tots and melty cheese… and it’s made right in your slow cooker!

Crockpot Taco Tater Tot Casserole

This recipe is one of those set-it-and-forget-it meals that still manages to taste like you spent all day in the kitchen. With seasoned ground beef, salsa, black beans, and plenty of cheese, it’s loaded with flavor. Plus, the tater tots cook up golden and satisfying—no oven required.

It’s also incredibly versatile. Serve it straight from the slow cooker, or top it with your favorite taco fixings like sour cream, guac, jalapeños, or fresh salsa. Whether you’re feeding kids, teens, or adults, this one’s a guaranteed win.

What You Will Love About This Recipe

Crockpot convenience. No need to heat up the oven—this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.

Taco meets comfort food. Classic taco flavors plus crispy, golden tater tots and gooey cheese? Yes, please!

Feeds a crowd. With over 2 pounds of beef and a full bag of tots, it’s hearty enough for the hungriest family or potluck.

Easily customizable. Swap out the beans, try a spicier salsa, or add jalapeños for a kick.

Kid- and freezer-friendly. Leftovers reheat beautifully, and even picky eaters love it.

How to Make Crockpot Taco Tater Tot Casserole

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and onion until the beef has browned and crumbled. Drain well and return to the skillet.
To the meat, add the black beans, salsa, and taco seasoning, stirring well.

Spread half of the tater tots onto the bottom of the slow cooker liner. Then, add the ground beef mixture followed by another layer of tater tots.

Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.
With 30 minutes of cooking time remaining, add the cheese over the tater tots.
Prior to serving, top with chopped cilantro

Serve with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa if desired.

Tips & Tricks

Brown the beef well. Make sure you cook off the extra moisture and fat for the best flavor and texture.
Use thick salsa. A chunky salsa keeps the casserole from getting too watery while adding great texture and spice.
Don’t thaw the tater tots. Frozen is best—they’ll hold up better during the slow cooking process.
Add cheese later. Waiting until the last 30 minutes to add cheese keeps it melty and perfect—not overcooked or greasy.
Level it up with toppings. Think avocado, jalapeños, sour cream, hot sauce, crushed tortilla chips—go wild!

FAQs

Definitely! You can prep the meat mixture and layer everything in the slow cooker the night before. Just cover and refrigerate, then start cooking the next day.

They soften a bit but still hold their shape. For crispier tops, you can finish it under a broiler for a few minutes (if your slow cooker insert is oven-safe).

Yep! Store in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

Try these other great crockpot dishes!

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Slow Cooker Sweedish Meatballs

Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Slow Cookeer Chicken and Gravy

Crockpot Taco Tater Tot Casserole

This Crockpot Taco Tater Tot Casserole combines the best things in life, tacos, and Tater Tots to create an irresistible meal that you will want to add to your meal plan for Taco Tuesday or any day of the week for that matter!

Ingredients

2 ½ pounds ground beef
1 onion, diced
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (16 oz) jar salsa
1 1 oz packet (about 2 tablespoons) taco seasoning mix
1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
1 cup shredded fiesta blend cheese
Cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and onion until the beef has browned and crumbled. Drain well and return to the skillet.
To the meat, add the black beans, salsa, and taco seasoning, stirring well.
Spread half of the tater tots onto the bottom of the slow cooker liner. Then, add the ground beef mixture followed by another layer of tater tots.
Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.
With 30 minutes of cooking time remaining, add the cheese over the tater tots.
Prior to serving, top with chopped cilantro.
Serve with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa if desired.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 672Total Fat: 41gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 188mgSodium: 1910mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 59g

Melissa

I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!

Crockpot Taco Tater Tot Casserole