Instant Pot Starving Dude Casserole

Instant Pot Starving Dude Casserole–a tater tot casserole with a Tex-Mex twist. Ground beef, Rotel, corn and cheese are topped with crispy tots. (You can make this recipe in the Instant Pot, Crockpot or oven).

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Note: the SLOW COOKER and OVEN instructions are listed in the recipe card below

Instant Pot Starving Dude Casserole

Have you ever been told, “Dude, I’m starving!” I get that a lot from the two dudes at my house. This hearty casserole satiated their large appetites and they were both full and happy.

This tater tot and ground beef dish is easy to make with your Instant Pot and can be made all in one pot if you have an air fryer lid*. (If you don’t have an air fryer lid you can still make it). You can also cook this casserole in your crockpot. Both instructions are listed in the recipe card below.

Ingredients/Substitution Ideas

• Lean ground beef–or ground turkey
• Diced onion–I love using this tool* to dice onions lately!
• Garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, black pepper–for seasoning
• Beef or chicken broth–or water and Better than Bouillon
• Rotel–this is a can of diced tomatoes with green chiles. Use the mild variety if you don’t like heat.
• Frozen corn–or a drained can of corn
• Cream cheese–or a can of cream of chicken soup
• Cornstarch–or arrowroot
• Frozen tater tots–I like the Ore-Ida brand
• Shredded cheddar cheese–or another type of cheese you like. I shred* mine off the block
• Optional toppings: diced tomatoes, sour cream and green onions

Instructions

Instant Pot Instructions:

I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker with Air Fryer Lid*. You can also use your Instant Pot and an oven.

1. Brown the beef: Turn Instant Pot to sauté setting. When display says HOT add in the beef and break it up. Add in the onions. Brown for about 5 minutes. Drain excess grease. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
2. Deglaze: Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. 
3. Dump in the Rotel, corn and cream cheese. Don’t stir (this is to prevent the burn error message).
4. Pressure cook: Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 2 minutes. When time is up move valve to venting. Remove the lid. 
5. Thicken: Turn Instant Pot to sauté setting. Stir cornstarch and water together until smooth. Stir the mixture into the pot to thicken. Once it has thickened turn off Instant Pot.
6. Cook the tots: If you have an air fryer lid then toss the tots on top evenly and air fry for 10 minutes at 400° F. If you don’t have an air fryer lid then you can bake the tots in the oven according to package directions. 
7. Sprinkle the cheese on top and air fry for 1 more minute until melty. 
8. Scoop onto plates and serve. Top with diced tomatoes, sour cream and green onions, if desired.

Slow Cooker Instructions:

This works well in a 3 or 6 quart slow cooker (or the casserole crock*).

1. Brown the beef: Heat a pan over medium high heat. Add in the beef and break it up. Add in the onions. Brown for about 5 minutes. Drain excess grease. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Transfer to slow cooker.
2. Dump in the Rotel, corn and cream cheese (no broth or cornstarch for slow cooker version). Stir.
3. Slow cook: Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or on low for 4 hours. Stir. Sprinkle cheese on top and let it melt.
4. Cook tots according to package directions in the oven. 
5. Serve: Scoop some contents of slow cooker onto a plate and top with some tots. Top with diced tomatoes, sour cream and green onions, if desired.

Oven Instructions

You can also use your oven to cook this recipe in a 9×13 inch baking dish.

1. Brown the beef: Heat a pan over medium high heat. Add in the beef and break it up. Add in the onions. Brown for about 5 minutes. Drain excess grease. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Stir in the Rotel, corn and cream cheese (no broth or cornstarch for oven version). Stir until cream cheese is melted and incorporated.
2. Bake: Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Add the tots on top. Bake for 30 minutes at 375°F. Then sprinkle the cheese on top and bake for another 5 minutes.
3. Serve: Scoop onto a plate and top with diced tomatoes, sour cream and green onions, if desired.

Notes/Tips

• Try using another type of cheese like colby, pepper jack or monterey jack.
• If you don’t have an air fryer lid for your Instant Pot you can cook the tater tots in the oven. I would suggest putting them in the oven before you start the rest of the recipe since they take a while to get crispy. Once the tots are done you can serve a few of them on top of your casserole.
• For a lower carb option you can leave out the tots or try using an alternative like cauliflower tots.
• For a gluten-free version make sure you use gluten-free tater tots (the Ore-Ida brand is gluten-free).

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More Instant Pot Recipes with Tater Tots…

Instant Pot Complete Cowboy Casserole

Instant Pot Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole

Napoleon Dynamite Cracked Out Chicken Casserole

Lunch Lady Delight (Instant Pot)

Instant Pot Napoleon Dynamite Soup

Instant Pot Totcho Casserole

Instant Pot Tater Tot Casserole

Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.

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*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.