John Wayne Casserole (Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole)
Seasoned beef, peppers, and onion under a layer of tater tots, with a second round of cheese at the end.
John Wayne Casserole (Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole)
Course: Main CourseDifficulty: Easy6
servings20
minutes4
hours30
minutesSeasoned beef, peppers, and onion under a layer of tater tots, with a second round of cheese at the end.
Ingredients
1½ lb ground beef
1 onion and 1 green bell pepper, diced
1 packet taco seasoning
1 can (10 oz) Rotel, drained
1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
½ cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar, divided
1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Salt and black pepper to taste
Pickled jalapeño slices to serve
Chopped fresh parsley to finish
Directions
- Gather and measure everything before you start, so nothing waits on the counter.
- Brown the beef with the onion and pepper, drain, and stir in the seasoning and Rotel.
- Spread the beef in the greased insert.
- Mix the soup and sour cream, spread it over the beef, and scatter 1 cup of cheese on top.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots over everything in one layer.
- Cook 4½ hours on LOW.
- Top with the remaining cheese and cook uncovered 10–15 minutes.
- Check that the tots are hot all the way through and the beef layer is bubbling at the edges.
- Let the casserole rest 10 minutes with the lid off so the layers set.
- Scoop with a wide spoon straight down to the bottom, so each serving has every layer.
- Cool leftovers within 2 hours and refrigerate in shallow containers for up to 4 days.
Notes
- The tots soften under the lid. For a crisp top, finish the insert under the broiler for 3 minutes if it is oven-safe.
Why the tots go on top
The frozen tots sit above the sauce, so they steam and soften under the lid rather than boiling. They stay in neat pieces and act like a topping.
A second round of cheese at the end gives a melted top.
John Wayne Casserole: swaps and a trick
Ground turkey can replace beef. Cream of chicken soup works instead of mushroom. Do not thaw the tots first, since they go mushy.
For a crisp top, finish under the broiler for 3 minutes, but only if your insert is oven-safe.
Serving and storage
Pickled jalapeños add a sharp bite. A simple salad balances the richness. Store leftovers in shallow containers, and reheat in the oven for crisper tots.
A mistake to avoid
Lifting the lid too often. Steam escapes and the tots stay cold in the middle. Keep it closed, then check at the end that the tots are hot throughout and the beef edges are bubbling before you add the last cheese.
Use a sturdy spoon and scoop straight down, so each serving has beef, sauce and tots together. Warm leftover portions in the oven so the tots crisp again.
John Wayne Casserole (Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole) at a glance
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cooking time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Servings: 6 servings
- Ingredients: 11, led by ground beef, onion and 1 green bell pepper, packet taco seasoning, (10 oz) Rotel
Tips for John Wayne Casserole (Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole)
The tots soften under the lid. For a crisp top, finish the insert under the broiler for 3 minutes if it is oven-safe.
John Wayne Casserole (Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole) FAQ
How long does John Wayne Casserole (Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole) take?
John Wayne Casserole (Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole) takes 4 hours 30 minutes of cooking after 20 minutes of prep.
How many people does John Wayne Casserole (Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole) serve?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What do I need to make John Wayne Casserole (Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole)?
11 ingredients, led by ground beef, onion and 1 green bell pepper, packet taco seasoning, (10 oz) Rotel. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
Part of: 10 Crockpot Casserole Recipes for Dinner
