Trailblazers, gather round! We got here a dish that will serve as a trusty steed to your tastebuds! Trailblazing Casserole makes up a huge batch of taco beef in all its juicy, spicy, savory goodness, and combines it with hearty beans and cheddar cheese, all topped with more cheese and tater tots for that full Western feeling. When the sun’s getting really low, and it’s time to head home and rest, this Trailblazing Casserole will get you back in the saddle again!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 (1-ounce) package taco seasoning
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted tomatoes, diced
- 1 (4-ounce) can green chiles, diced
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 1 (32-ounce) bag tater tots
- fresh cilantro, optional, to taste, chopped, for garnish
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 3 –Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 4 –Add the onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 6 minutes.
Step 5 –Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 6 –Add the beef and cook, while crumbling, until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 7 –Add the taco seasoning and stir to incorporate.
Step 8 –Add the black beans, the pinto beans, the fire-roasted tomatoes, the green chiles, the sour cream, 1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese, and the hot sauce and stir it into the taco meat mixture.
Step 9 –Allow the taco meat mixture to cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Step 10 –Stir in the corn.
Step 11 –Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
Step 12 –Top the mixture with a single layer of the tater tots.
Step 13 –Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Step 14 –Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the tater tots.
Step 15 –Bake until the cheese is melty and bubbly, about 20 minutes.
Step 16 –Allow the casserole to cool slightly.
Step 17 –Garnish with the cilantro and serve.
