Let’s hear it for all those slow cookers out there! They make our lives easier and so much tastier! Woo-hoo! Come on now! Celebrate with one of our slow cooker favorites… Slow Tot Casserole! This Tex-Mex-inspired dish is loaded with juicy beef, smooth black beans, sweet tomatoes, garden-fresh corn, and rich cream cheese that will bring the party to your tastebuds. All of those yummy things are packed on top of some golden-brown, crispy tater tots. And of course, there’s plenty of melty cheese and tangy salsa to go around. We can’t think of any better way to honor our beloved appliance than with Slow Tot Casserole! They deserve it all!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeƱo pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire roasted tomatoes, drained
- 1/2 cup frozen corn
- 4 ounces whipped cream cheese
- 2 pounds tater tots
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 8 ounces mild cheddar cheese, shredded
Directions
Step 1 –In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the beef, the onion, the garlic, and the jalapeƱo and cook, breaking up the meat and stirring as needed, until the meat is no longer pink and the veggies are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 2 –Spoon off any excess grease from the skillet.
Step 3 –Add the black beans, the tomatoes, the corn, and the cream cheese to the meat mixture and cook, stirring to combine, until it is heated through, about 3-5 minutes.
Step 4 –Spray the slow cooker with nonstick canola oil spray.
Step 5 –Add 1/2 of the tater tots to the bottom of the prepared slow cooker and then top with the beef mixture.
Step 6 –Top the beef mixture with the remaining tots, the salsa, and the cheese.
Step 7 –Cover and cook until the tater tots are hot and slightly crispy on the edges and the cheese is fully melted, about 2-3 hours on high heat or 4-6 hours on low heat.
Step 8 –Serve hot.
