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    Home » Recipes » Casseroles » Tater Tot Casserole

    Tater Tot Casserole

    Published: November 1, 2019 · Modified: Aug 3, 2020 by John Kanell

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    Insanely delicious Tater Tot Casserole that's loaded with crispy bacon, homemade ranch and cheesy goodness. If you love loaded potato skins this casserole will be your new favorite thing

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    tater tot casserole on a white plate with a fork
    tater tot casserole in a white serving dish
    A Tater tot casserole served from a red baking dish.
    Tater tot casserole topped with homemade ranch on a plate.
    A rectangular baking dish filled with tater tot casserole.
    Tater tot casserol with bacon and cheddar cheese on a plate.
    A portion of tater tot casserole on a porcelain plate.
    A red baking dish filled with tater tot casserole.
    A closeup shot of a tater tot casserole with bacon..
    A casserol dish filled with tater tot casserole.
    tater tot casserole in a white serving dish

    This tater tot casserole is the ultimate comfort food! I mean, do you love tater tots as much as I do? Fluffy and tender inside, crunchy on the outside, they’re impossible to beat—until I dreamed up this casserole.

    I took everything I loved about loaded baked potatoes—the cheese, the bacon, the sour cream—and combined them with the tots that the kid in me still adores. The result is this over-the-top recipe that’s perfect for sleepovers, birthday parties, or for when you just need a little nostalgic guilty pleasure! Check out my step by step recipe tutorial below including all the ingredients and tips you need to make this comfort food dish perfectly, enjoy!

    What you’ll need for this recipe

    An overhead shot of all the ingredients you need to make tater tot casserole

    Tater tots – Use frozen tater tots straight from the freezer without thawing first, this stops them from overcooking in the oven.

    Sour cream – I love adding sour cream for extra tang and flavor it’s the perfect combination with scallions, cheese and potato. You can also use creme fraiche or Greek yogurt.

    Cheese – I use sharp cheddar which keeps it’s strong flavor when melted but feel free to use whatever cheese you like.

    How to Make Tater Tot Casserole

    Two photos showing how to fry bacon in a Dutch oven

    1.. Add chopped bacon to a Dutch oven.

    2. Fry until crispy then remove and set aside (make sure to reserve some bacon grease for the onions).

    Two photos showing how to add butter and flour to onions

    3. Saute the onions in bacon grease until soft.

    4. Add butter and flour and stir to combine.

    Two photos showing how to thicken a sauce for a casserole

    5. Cook the onion and flour mixture for a few minutes to cook out the flour taste.

    6. Slowly add the milk, stir to get rid of any lumps, and take off the heat.

    Two photos of the final stage of making a tater tot casserole

    7. Add in sour cream, scallions, and cheddar cheese and stir to combine.

    8. Add in half of the tater tots and stir. Transfer to a casserole dish and top with more tater tots, cheese and bacon. Bake until bubbling and golden.

    A close up of a cheesy tater tot casserole in a baking dish

    Tips and ideas for making this recipe

    • I like to use thick-cut bacon so it stays nice and meaty when cooked.
    • Cheddar cheese adds a classic flavor to this casserole; spice it up by using pepper jack instead!
    • Don’t worry about thawing the tots; they’ll warm up during baking.
    • Be careful with the salt, the bacon and cheese add a lot of seasoning so I recommend tasting the casserole first then season to taste.
    • The Homemade Ranch makes a great dressing for salad, which you’re probably going to want after this delicious indulgence. Or maybe not!

    A side shot of tater tot casserole on a plate with a fork

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do you need to thaw the tater tots first?

    Tater tots are so easy to bake and you don’t need to thaw them before baking! I use frozen tater tots to make this casserole and since they’re mixed through the sauce as well as used to top the casserole you want to make sure they are frozen so they don’t over bake. Simply add the frozen tater tots straight into the sauce and on top of the casserole and bake as instructed!

    What can I serve this with?

    This tater tot casserole could be served as a side dish itself alongside roasted meats such as roast chicken, turkey, beef or ham. If you’re serving this as the main dish then why not try serving this tater tot casserole with green beans, spinach, or a bountiful fresh salad.

    What can I add to this casserole?

    You can easily switch up this casserole by adding and replacing some ingredients to fit your needs or what you feel like, here are some suggestions;

    • Add some green beans
    • Add some shredded chicken or turkey (great for using up leftovers)
    • Replace the bacon with cooked sausage
    • Add spinach or kale
    • Switch up the cheeses

    How long do leftovers last?

    Leftovers will store well in the fridge for 2-3 days and can be reheated until piping hot all the way through.

    Can you freeze it?

    Yes, you can freeze tater tot casserole but please not that dairy doesn’t freeze particularly well. After freezing the cheese will lose it’s creamy texture and could possibly curdle so it’s best served the same day!

    If you love this recipe try these out!

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      Baked Mac and Cheese

    If you’ve tried this recipe then don’t forget to leave a rating and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! 

    Print
    5 from 34 votes

    Tater Tot Casserole

    Super delicious and comforting tater tot casserole made with bacon and homemade ranch. Don't forget to check out our step by step photos and tips above!
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 20 minutes
    Cook Time 35 minutes
    Total Time 55 minutes
    Servings 8 - 10 servings
    Calories 381kcal
    Author John Kanell

    Ingredients

    • 8 slices of bacon chopped
    • 1 cup chopped yellow onion
    • 2 Tbsp. butter
    • 2 Tbsp. flour
    • 1 ¼ cups milk plus 2 Tbsp., divided
    • 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
    • ¾ cup sour cream divided
    • 1 cup chopped scallions divided
    • 1 32 oz package frozen tater tots divided
    • 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives
    • 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill
    • Pinch kosher salt and pepper

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°F.
    • Add bacon to a Dutch oven over medium heat.
    • Cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy, about 10 minutes.
    • Remove bacon with a slotted spoon; place bacon on a paper towel.
    • Discard all but 2 Tbsp. bacon grease from pan (reserve extra for another use).
    • Add onion to bacon grease in pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add butter to pan; let melt.
    • Stir flour into butter and onions. Cook, stirring, 2 minutes.
    • Stir in 1 ¼ cups milk until combined. Remove from heat.
    • Stir in 1 ½ cups cheese, ½ cup sour cream, and ½ cup scallions.
    • Stir in half of frozen tater tots; transfer mixture to a 13x9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining tater tots, bacon, and cheese.
    • Bake until bubbly, about 35 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes.
    • Stir together remaining ¼ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons milk, chives, dill, and salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.
    • Sprinkle remaining ½ cup scallions over casserole; drizzle with homemade ranch.

    Notes

    • I like to use thick-cut bacon so it stays nice and meaty when cooked.
    • Cheddar cheese adds a classic flavor to this casserole; spice it up by using pepper jack instead!
    • Don’t worry about thawing the tots; they’ll warm up during baking.
    • You’ll notice I don’t add any salt to the casserole. I found it salty enough, but please feel free toseason it to taste.
    • The Homemade Ranch makes a great dressing for salad, which you’re probably going to want after this delicious indulgence. Or maybe not!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 381kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 473mg | Potassium: 249mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1069IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 391mg | Iron: 1mg
    *Nutrition Disclaimer
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @preppykitchen and tag #preppykitchen!
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    Thanks for stopping by! I’m John Kanell, a husband, dad to twins Lachlan and George, Los Angeles native, and an avid baker and cooker of all things delicious thanks to a life long education from my mother. This blog is where I share all of my kitchen creations!

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