Hearty and packed with spices, this simple weeknight vegetarian chili tater tot casserole is cooked in a skillet, covered with cheese and tater tots then finished in the oven. Cozy, Vegan or Vegetarian Chili Tater Tot Hotdish feeds a small crowd, and travels and freezes with ease! This recipe is vegetarian, easily gluten free, and easily vegan. [ VIDEO in recipe card ] | Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Frontier Co-op. All opinions are my own.
Table of Contents
What’s a Hotdish?
What’s this casserole called a hotdish? Have you heard of them?
I didn’t even know it existed until I’d been blogging for a while. Seeing variations of this Midwestern casserole on Pinterest and Instagram had me exploring ways to create my own sort with a bit of my Texas roots spin
A hotdish is a casserole baked in one dish, served hot and generally consists of a starch, meat, vegetables and canned soup. While this vegetarian tater tot casserole doesn’t fully fit the traditional definition of a hotdish, there are so many ways and variations, I figured I could get by squeezing one more in.
In Texas, we always called these types of recipes casseroles, but still, I’d yet to see any tater tot casserole, without meat, of my childhood covered in tater tots. This is something I’d never forget.
The Best Ingredients
This easy gluten free vegan or vegetarian chili tater tot hotdish relies heavily on spices to create its hearty and mouthwatering flavors. A must in any chili recipe is high quality chili powder. Frontier Co-op’s Organic, Non-GMO Chili Powder is a blend of spices including chili pepper, cumin, oregano, coriander, and garlic, to create a robust yet balanced flavor that’s not too spicy. I use it in all my chili recipes, and then some.
To take the spicy up in this vegetarian tater tot casserole, I’ve saved that job for jalapeños – as always, add more to taste or pile fresh or pickled on top!
How To Make this Chili Tater Tot Casserole
It comes together in one pan! Could it get any easier? Here’s how to make it (see recipe card below for full details):
- Start by making the quick and easy vegetarian chili base in a cast iron skillet, sautéing flavor builders like onions, garlic, jalapeños and spices.
- Add the beans and broth then top with cheese and tater tots. For an easy vegan chili casserole, simply leave the cheese off.
- Pop it in the oven for about 30 minutes and what emerges is a completely mouthwatering vegetarian casserole (just bury me in tater tots… mmmK?).
A hearty gluten free chili underneath melty cheddar and crispy tater tots. Omit the cheese and this recipe easily becomes a fabulous vegan chili tater tot casserole. Serve with a variety of toppings to make it your own, like green onions, cilantro, avocado, jalapeños, pepita crema and/or sour cream.
I know what you may be thinking…. more cheese on top?
A Few Recipe Notes
- Change up the beans! Black beans are also lovely in this dish. Sub black beans for kidney or pinto for a delicious variation.
- Freezer Friendly? Yes Please! This vegetarian tater tot casserole makes excellent leftovers and is freezer friendly.
- Vegan Friendly? You got it! Omit the cheese or use your favorite plant based cheese to make this a vegan chili tater tot casserole. You can make it 1/2 n 1/2 for the cheese lovers and cheese avoiders!
- While the ingredient list looks long, it’s mostly pantry staples. Do not let it deter you!
To learn more about member owned, responsible to people and planet Frontier Co-op, their spices and work, find Frontier Co-op on their website, on Instagram, and Facebook. Be sure to show how you #CookWithPurpose!
More Vegetarian (and vegan) Chili Recipes to Love
the recipe
Vegetarian Chili Tater Tot Hotdish
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tsp Vegetable Oil I like coconut or olive oil
- 1 1/2 C (190g) Purple Onion chopped, about one medium
- 1 C (125g) Green Bell Pepper chopped, about one medium
- 1 Tbs Pickled Jalapenos diced small
- 1 Tbs Garlic minced
- 1 1/2 Tbs Chili Powder I use Frontier Co-op, organic
- 2 tsp Black Pepper ground
- 1/2 tsp Fine Sea Salt
- 1 1/2 Tbs Masa Harina *see note for sub and more info
- 2 Tbs Tomato Paste
- 1 C (245g) Fire Roasted Tomatoes + juice diced, freeze the leftovers
- 1 1/4 C (280g) Vegetable Broth
- 1 Tbs Dried Oregano
- 2 C (425g) Pinto Beans** (see note) cooked, drained (one can)
- 2 C (425g) Kidney Beans cooked, drained (one can)
- 20 oz (567g) Prepared Tater Tots
- 1 1/2 C (115g) Cheddar Cheese shredded, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F (205c). Set oven rack in center of oven.
- Into an oven safe 10" (25cm) skillet (I use cast iron), add the oil and heat until shimmering. Add the onions and bell peppers. Cook on medium-low for about 9-10 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally. Charring is good.
- To the skillet, stir in the jalapeños and garlic. Sprinkle in the chili powder, ground black pepper, salt and masa harina. Stir to coat vegetables, about one minute. Stir in the tomato paste, tomatoes, broth, oregano, and beans. Warm to a simmer, then remove from heat. Taste for salt adjustment, reseason if needed.
- Sprinkle the cheese over the top if using (or 1/2 the amount for those who may not want cheese), then arrange the tater tots on top of the cheese (or over the chili) in a circular pattern. Bake in a 400F preheated oven for 30 minutes, until tater tots are golden and crisp and the chilly is bubbling underneath.
- Serve with avocado, jalapeños, cilantro, green onions, and/or sour cream. Store in a lidded container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Freeze for up to two weeks.
Video
Notes
- Mexican Inspired Tofu Tacos
- Hearty Vegetarian Crock Pot Chili
- Slow Cooker Vegetarian Taco Soup
- Roasted Corn Zucchini Fritters
I loved this recipe! It was easy to make and of course, had left overs. That’s always a win! I had to make a couple of changes because of ingredients I did and did not have. I had red pepper not green. No jalapeños so I used another pepper I had. Great weeknight meal!
Hi Joy! Thank you for your note and sharing your tips about using what you had on hand. Leftovers FTW! So happy to hear you enjoyed the hotdish!
LOVE THIS! Have made 2 weeks in a row, and I claim all of the leftovers for my lunch the next day 😂
I never found the masa harina, but I only add a T or 2 of broth and it’s perfect.
Hii Autumn! Thank you so much for your note and rating! So happy to hear you’re enjoying the recipe, even without the masa! Hooray!
Made this tonight and it was great. I used sweet potato tater tots which were delicious.
SO happy to hear Cathy! Thank you for your note, rating and giving the recipe a go! Hooray for sweet potato tater tots!
Hi. What can you sub for the masa harina? I don’t want to buy a whole bag just to use a little bit here. Any suggestions?
Hello M! Unfortunately there’s really no sub as it has a very unique flavor. If you like, you can try grinding down corn chips in a food processor or blender (although I’ve not tried it), it’ll offer some of the flavor and thickening power missing from Masa Harina. If you’re not sure how you would use the masa harina in other recipes, you can try my Enchilada Sauce, Slow Cooker Taco Soup, Corn and Zucchini Fritters, and my Tofu Tacos. It lasts for a long time, and because it adds so much flavor and thickening, I keep it as a pantry staple. I hope this helps!
Hello, I frequently take a white or yellow corn tortilla and pulverize it in a food processor or mini prep processor. Then follow the recipe measure.
Hi Joanna! That’s a great tip! Thank you for sharing.
Loved it! So good. Thank you for such a great recipe. It will definitely go into the rotation.
Hi Sherrie! Thank you so much for coming back and leaving a note! So happy to hear!
Family loved it tonight and our skillet was empty! Easy and so tasty. Thanks for another great recipe.
Hooray! Thank you so much for your note Karen! So happy to read this!
This was excellent! Received rave reviews from my roommates. Loved the quick chili and how you can easily adapt spices, veggies, beans, etc for your own tastes and what you have in the pantry. Served with avocado, greek yogurt (in place of sour cream), cilantro, and lime wedges. The crispy & cheesy tots on top were delicious with the chili. Thanks for the recipe; this one’s getting saved in my recipe box.
Hooray! Thank you so much for your note Becky! Lucky roommates! The avo and greek yogurt sounds fabulous… and I’m SO with you on the crispy & cheesy tots on top (OMGeeee). So happy y’all enjoyed it!
Making this today for our Super Bowl party! Veggies, chili, cheese & tater tots – how can you go wrong! It was super easy to put together and smells amazing. Can’t wait to dig in! Thanks for posting this :) Go Pats!!!
Thank you for your note Krystal! I hope you and all the Pats fans enjoyed it!
LOVE THIS so much!! I love how it has the kitsch factor of hot dish but is actually something I would eat!!
Hooray! Loved hearing it, cakespy! :D
I just tried a tator tot hot dish a few months ago and we loved it! Such a fun and easy way to go, especially when you don’t have time to make crust. Love your idea to layer them on top of a veg chili!
SO fun and what an easy ‘crust’, right? And it does come together so quick.
This will be my next family dinner recipe,
thank you for sharing
I hope you and your’s enjoy it Parth!
I have most definitely heard of a hot dish!! But, I don’t actually think I’ve ever eaten one before haha! I love that you made such a delicious looking vegetarian version! Tater tots are one of my weaknesses and I love chili, so I know I would eat so much of this :)
I don’t think I’ve ever had a ‘real’ hotdish… just this take on them! I know you’d love this, Izzy – because we’re tater tot twinning! :D
This, I call, vegetarian dish on steroids. Seriously Traci, you outdid yourself with this one. I LOVE tater tots. They are my weakness, but I have never seen them served this way. Amazing.
I know I’ll be making this soon.
Cheers my friend.
PS: that stop motion tho. 😋
LOL! I’m SO with you on tater tots, Aysegul! I hope you love it ! xo
Dude, this is SO perfect for the super bowl or any day of the week! Tater tots are a weakness of mine so this recipe wouldn’t last a nanosecond in my house, it looks mouthwatering!!! Awesome job :)
I’m with ya on the tater tots, Christina! Thank you for your note!
I’ve never heard of a hotdish until now! What a brilliant idea to put tater tots on top of a casserole, lol. Looks like total comfort food and only you could style it so beautifully. ;)
LOL… I’m with ya, Sarah! OMGeee those tater tots… :D
You make some of the most mouthwatering dishes I’ve seen. This is absolutely delicious looking and I will be getting those tater tots very soon. Seriously, I could eat a lot of this.
Such pretty pictures.
xx
Thank you Asha! Back at ya my dear! xo
Thank you so much, Cookbook!
I’m not going to lie… I’ve never LOVED hotdishes. But when I saw this recipe, I was immediately intrigued and had to find out more! I absolutely love chili, and it sounds extra delicious topped with tater tots!! Maybe it’s a mental thing where I need to think of it as a tot-topped chili, and not a hotdish. Anyways, I know I’ll be putting tater tots on top of my next batch of chili ;) Hugs, Traci!!
Oh no! I’ve never had one, Sarah… I go back and fourth when titling a recipe. Sometimes it’s close to the real deal, other times, not so much. I considered calling this something different, but landed on hotdish. But so it is… Skillet Tater tot topped chili! FTW! I hope you and your’s enjoy my dear! xo
Omg! This is fabulous. I love your variation, Traci! I cannot wait to make this and I know Heath will love it too. <3
It’s a win-win, Tessa! xo
Such great flavors, this is the perfect winter comfort meal!
Total comfort food, Laura!
I am absolutely in LOVE with this dish! I’m going to the store to buy tater tots ASAP. Can’t wait to try!
lol! You’re going to love it Liz! :D
“just bury me in tater tots” – love it! Okay, so you’ll laugh at me but I just discovered what a tater tot is about a year ago courtesy of my American friends (an American iconic jewel for sure ;-) I still haven’t tasted one yet! You sure make an enticing case for them in your beautiful chili dish Traci. Those warming spices and fresh avo topping, cozy and delicious! So well illustrated too.
LOL – its true, Kelly! A year ago!? And how?! Think crispy on the outside, soft and pillowy on the inside.. a little bite size dreaaaam!
I LOVEEE This recipe!! It sounds osooooo delicious!!! I need to get those tater tots, and make this recipe!! I swear my mouth was watering while reading your blog post, and the recipe. It has everything, carbs, protein, vegetables, spices, YUM! And I say this with every post, and I will say it again, I simply love your lighting and photography … ALWAYS!
I know you’d love this, Amisha! And the tater tots are a nice break from homemade ;D . Thank you for your sweet words xo
Oh my goodness – this looks absolutely delicious, Traci! This would be gone in a flash at my house. What a wonderful idea – I’ve never heard the term hotdish but I’ve seen tater tot covered casseroles – but none as enticing as this one. I saw this in my pinterest feed this morning and already pinned it! Just gorgeous, T!
Yay! Total comfort food, Geraldine! We looooove this one. I try to shove some of leftovers into the freezer, but they don’t last. Thaaank you for your PIN!! xo
OMG Traci! This would be a total hit at our house. Even Mr. Picky would go for this one, especially with his favorite tots on top! It’s the perfect hearty dish for winter. I love Frontier Coop’s line of spices!
Love it, Mary Ann and LOLOLOL!!!
It will reach 62 here today northwest NJ but will drop to 7 tonight so I guess it’s back to chili weather! One of my best friends is from Minnesota so I learned about the hotdish many years ago. While I’ve never been a big tater tot fan this chili looks too darn cute not to try!
Oh goodness… it’s going to get cold! It’s back to chili, Jean! I hope you enjoy the recipe! :D
I made my first tater tot casserole this year as well (for oh my veggies) and as soon as I had a bite I was like “oh so this is what the fuss is all about”. Lol. It’s just not a dish we have here in New England, so I never experienced it growing up. But damn, it’s tasty! Yours looks so hearty and perfect for cozy Winter days!
OH my goodness! That’s what all the fuss is about …. (I gotta go find your recipe!). It’s soooo good, right? I’m with you, Liz… especially for these cold, rainy daaays!
Hi there !
This dish looks amazing, but I have one problem…… What are Tater Tots ?
I live in Switzerland so I just have never heard of them, are they potato balls ? What are they composed of ?
Thanks for your answer
Marianne
Hello Marianne! Tater tots are little bundles of shredded potatoes. Crispy on the outside, soft and pillowy on the inside :D Here in the US, we can buy them in the frozen section of the grocery store, or you can make your own. Izzy has a homemade recipe on her site you might like: https://www.shelikesfood.com/4-ingredient-zucchini-tater-tots/ I hope this helps, Marianne!