Chili Tot Bake (Print Version)
A warming chili packed with beef and beans, finished with crispy tots on top. Perfect for cool nights or lazy dinners.
# Ingredients:
01 -
1 15-ounce can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
02 -
28-ounce bag of crispy frozen tots
03 -
½ teaspoon dried thyme
04 -
1 cup chicken broth with less sodium
05 -
1 15-ounce can of pinto beans, rinsed and drained
06 -
½ teaspoon dried oregano
07 -
2 pounds lean ground beef (93% lean)
08 -
½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded (only if you want a cheesy topping)
09 -
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
10 -
1 medium onion, yellow, chopped finely
11 -
⅓ cup tomato paste (about half a 6-ounce can)
12 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
13 -
¼ cup cilantro, chopped (if you like garnishes)
14 -
1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes
15 -
2 tablespoons of chili powder
16 -
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
17 -
1½ teaspoons ground cumin
18 -
1 teaspoon kosher salt
# Steps:
01 -
Heat the oven to 425°F. Spray a casserole dish (9x13-inch) with non-stick cooking spray, then put it aside for later.
02 -
Warm the olive oil in a big pan over medium-high heat. Toss in your diced onions and cook, stirring now and then, for about 3-4 minutes. Mix in the garlic next and stir for another couple of minutes.
03 -
In the same pan, toss in the ground beef. Use a wooden spoon to break it apart while it cooks. Stir every now and then for 8-10 minutes, or until the beef loses its pink color. Scoop out any extra liquid left behind.
04 -
Add tomato paste, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, thyme, and oregano to the meat. Stir and let everything cook together for a few minutes to bring out the flavors.
05 -
Dump the beans, broth, and crushed tomatoes into the skillet. Stir. Turn up the heat to get it boiling, then turn off the burner and remove the pan.
06 -
Move the meat and bean mixture into your prepped casserole dish. Spread the frozen tots out evenly across the top.
07 -
Stick the dish into the oven. Don’t cover it. Let it bake for around 25-30 minutes until the tots get crispy and golden.
08 -
Take the dish out of the oven. Add shredded cheese and cilantro (if using). Put it back in for another 5-10 minutes, just until the cheese melts.
09 -
Allow the dish to sit for about 10 minutes before digging in.