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
This tater tot casserole is the ultimate comfort food.
I mean, do you love tater tots as much as I do? It’s probably not possible! 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!
How to Bake Tater Tots
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!
How to Make Tater Tot Casserole
First, fry some chopped bacon until crispy then remove and set aside (make sure to reserve some bacon grease for the onions).
Saute the onions then add butter and flour to create the base of the sauce.
Cook the flour and onion mixture for two minutes then add the milk, stir to get rid of any lumps and take off the heat.
Add in some sour cream, scallions, and cheddar cheese and stir to combine.
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.
What Sides go with Tater Tot Casserole
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.
Variations and Things to 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
Can you Freeze Tater Tot Casserole?
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!
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers will store well in the fridge for 2-3 days and can be reheated until piping hot all the way through.
Top Tips for Making Tater Tot Casserole
- 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 to season 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!
More Casserole Recipes You Might Like
If you’ve tried this easy tater tot casserole 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!
Tater Tot Casserole
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!
This looks yummy–and fattening. Did I miss a post? Who is Emily???
My kids ate this whole thing in ONE day! Next time I’ll make a double batch.