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Mexican Tater Tot Casserole

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Ingredients
  

For the Beef Mixture:

  • 1-pound ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup bell peppers, any color, diced
  • 2 tsp. ketchup
  • 3 tsp. yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp. tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 2-½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded, separated
  • 32 ounces Tater Tots, frozen
  • Chives, chopped, for serving, optional
  • Crispy bacon, crumbled or bacon bits, for serving, optional

For the Gravy/Sauce:

  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 chicken bouillon
  • 1 tsp. soy sauce
  • 1 tsp. onion powder
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder

Instructions
 

To prepare to bake casserole:

  • Pre-heat oven to 375°F.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the gravy/sauce ingredients; set aside.

To prepare the beef mixture:

  • In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, cook/crumble the ground beef with the onions until browned and cooked through. 
  • Add minced garlic and bell peppers; cook for 1 - 2 minutes; remove from heat and drain grease.
  • Place back on the heat; season lightly with salt, pepper, ketchup, yellow mustard and tomato paste; stir to combine.
  • Sprinkle flour over the meat mixture; stir to combine; cook for 2 minutes or until the smell flour of is no longer present.
  • Add the beef broth mixture, in small splashes, and use a silicone spatula to clean the bottom of the pot; this will add more flavor to the sauce; don’t add the liquid too quickly in order to keep the base nice and thick; bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer; let it thicken and reduce for 5 minutes; remove from heat.

To assemble and bake the casserole:

  • If your skillet isn’t oven safe, transfer to a lightly greased 9-inch x 13-inch casserole dish.
  • Top first with the corn and then with 2 cups of the cheese.
  • Top with an even layer of frozen tater tots.
  • Place in the pre-heated oven and bake for 40 minutes. 
  • Remove from the oven and add additional ½ cup cheese. 
  • Return to the oven and bake 5 more minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and garnish with chives, crispy bacon or bacon bits prior to serving.