Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

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Our Easy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole takes minutes to assemble and the result is a dish that’s perfect for family breakfast,  fancy brunch, or a church potluck! A cheesy, comfort food casserole loved by kids and adults! This tater tot breakfast casserole is truly the perfect one-dish meal.

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There’s a game that I used to play with my kids called “If You Could Only Eat One Thing for the Rest of Your Life What Would it Be?”.

Their answers always bounce back and forth between Fruit by the Foot and Ring Pops (my children are health fanatics, can you tell?).

I, however, consistently have two answers for them: cheese and/or tater tots. From this, ladies and gentlemen, a casserole was born.

It’s now no secret that our Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole was made out of love, but unlike love, this recipe is really simple. The speedy night-before assembly is only a plus compared to the flavor.

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Warm and cheesy, this breakfast tater tot casserole is like a hug. It is a perfect compliment to any table.

Bacon, potatoes, sausage, eggs (and did I mention cheese?) combine to make a meal that encompasses all of your favorite breakfast foods, in one. Perfect with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or a tall glass of orange juice.

Kid-friendly, parent approved, this is one you won’t want to skip!

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HOW DO YOU MAKE TATER TOT CASSEROLE?

There are about a million ways to make tater tot casserole. You can make a tater tot breakfast casserole with sausage and sausage only! My family prefers a tater tot sausage breakfast casserole with bacon hands down!

But you, dear reader, might have a house full of bacon lovers! Whip them up a tater tot breakfast casserole with bacon galore!

One quick search of “tater tot casserole breakfast” on Pinterest will prove that tater tot recipes are to casseroles like shoes are to closets. You can never have too many, but it’s also a tad overwhelming and you’re never sure which casserole to wear…er, make.

There are so many choices. You can make them with everything from condensed soup to powdered ranch mix. It really depends on your own personal preference.

Casseroles became popular in the 1950’s, as it was around this time that new forms of bakeware appeared on the market. The one pan, one dish concept was immediately incredibly popular among busy women.

Obviously, it stuck, since casserole dishes remain at the forefront of many weeknight dinners today.

Most (if not all) casseroles are put together with the bulk of the ingredients (i.e. bacon, sausage) baking in added liquid (beaten eggs, milk). Tater tot casseroles are no different.

The liquid thickens in the oven, creating a delicious, gooey combination of crisp potatoes and bubbly cheese. The savory flavors are a perfect compliment to a sweet side. Try our Blueberry Coffee Cake to create the perfect, classic breakfast duo.

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CAN YOU MAKE TATER TOT CASSEROLE AHEAD OF TIME?

Absolutely! This recipe, in particular, is fantastic for a make-ahead dish.

Whether you’re prepping it at home for breakfast the next day or making a large batch to take to a brunch, it’s very easy to assemble.

It can be whipped up at any time and kept in the fridge for 24-48 hours before baking. I do recommend baking it within the first 24 for taste.

Our version contains raw eggs, as many of them do, so be sure to keep it well covered and separate from other foods. Safety first, friends!

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CAN YOU FREEZE TATER TOT CASSEROLE?

You sure can!

The freezing ability of casseroles reigns far above most foods. They freeze well.

They just DO. The best part is that when you take them out, unthaw, heat and consume…they taste just as good!

After baking (and eating), pop your leftover casserole into a freezer safe container and freeze away!

I like to divide it up into a few smaller servings so I can just take it out and warm it in the microwave, but that’s up to you! Casseroles with cooked eggs should not be stored longer than 3 months.

Don’t worry though, it will never take you that long to eat it. Check out these fantastic guidelines on freezing food and storage time.

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CAN YOU MAKE TATER TOT CASSEROLE IN THE CROCKPOT?

Yes. According to me, you can make anything in the crockpot. I consistently eyeball a recipe and wonder out loud, “can I put this in the crockpot?”.

Sometimes it’s a yes, sometimes it’s a no.

We will not get into the crockpot cheesecake disaster of 2007. My grandmother used to tell strangers she met in the dairy aisle at the grocery store all about it.

Simply mention cream cheese, and boy does she have a story for you.

Anyway, I assure you that you can absolutely make tater tot breakfast casserole crockpot friendly!

We all love the crockpot for one reason: convenience. It helps us live life a little more simply. It was a great convenience having breakfast ready to go while I was trying to get children out the door in the morning.

It’s almost as fantastic as being home alone with a king-sized Toblerone and a Gilmore Girls marathon.

All you have to do to make this happen is to get up early. You don’t even have to stay up. You can stumble joyously back to bed, knowing that breakfast for your family will be ready when they all wake up!

CROCKPOT INSTRUCTIONS;

• Follow the recipe instructions as listed below, but combine in your slow cooker instead of a casserole dish.
• Cook on high for 2-3 hours, or on low for 4-5.

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Oh, and as just a little side note, Check out the photo above. This is my favorite part of this whole dish! The amazing crispy edges!!!

I’m telling you this dish is perfection!

RECIPE NOTES FOR TATER TOT BREAKFAST CASSEROLE:

Versatile: One of my favorite parts about this tater tot breakfast casserole is that the flavors are completely interchangeable!

You can switch up any added ingredients based upon personal preference, and isn’t that what cooking is all about?!

The tater tot breakfast casserole Tasty recommends uses condensed French Onion Soup for flavor, but even with water, it turns out a bit thick.

You’re better off stealing any little tasty bits and bobs that you have in your fridge to make something all your own. Leftover ham works wonderfully. Veggies, a pinch of garlic powder, maybe some pepper jack cheese and sriracha for spice…the possibilities are endless.  

If you do decide to spice it up, try our Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins as a sweet and tangy addition. The lemon compliments a spicier dish perfectly. You won’t be sorry!

Our tater tot breakfast casserole recipe is also incredibly easy to lighten. Don’t get me wrong, it’s delicious as is, but you’ll see yet another change in flavor if you try chicken sausage, turkey bacon, or even skim milk!

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Make it Vegetarian: On that note, we created our tater tot breakfast casserole with bacon and sausage, but making it vegetarian is easier than convincing a three year old to skip a nap.

Omit the bacon and sausage (obviously) and add a plethora of vegetables. Trust me when I say that you can literally add almost any vegetable to this dish to create the ultimate tater tot breakfast casserole no meat version!

Diced bell peppers, tomatoes, fresh spinach and even broccoli are just a few examples of fresh veggies that complement the taters…and please the tots. Kids LOVE the veggie version. See what I did there?

You can even attempt the tater tot casserole sausage fake out. Use Morningstar Farms sausage crumbles! Oh, let me count the ways…

Simplicity: No matter how you decide to make this dish, the fact that the tater tots can go right into the pan from the freezer, and that it can be prepped in advance or made completely in the same day, makes it incredibly appealing for not only weekday breakfasts, but for large events as well!

This dish is simple, yet delicious.

Perfect for beginners in the kitchen and for those of you who’ve been around the whisk a few times.

Great if you’re pressed for time, fantastic if you have all the time in the world. The tools required are those present in every kitchen, whereas other recipes, like the tater tot breakfast casserole Pioneer Woman makes frequently, calls for a cast iron skillet and a couple other steps that aren’t really time savers.

It’s definitely delicious, but with our recipe, there’s no sacrificing time for the taste.

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Looking For More Casserole Favorites?

Chicken Tater Tots Casserole – This casserole is one of those casseroles that my family just can’t get enough of! Oooey~goooey, creamy and delicious. Loaded with chunks of Chicken and Bacon in a super Creamy Sauce then topped with Cheesy Tater Tots!

Hamburger Casserole – Made with ground beef or turkey, with noodles, cheese, and a delicious sauce, your Family will think its one of the best dinners in your rotation.

Buffalo Chicken Lasagna – This new delicious twist on classic lasagna and wings will have you wondering why you didn’t think of it sooner.

Easy Dorito Casserole – Dive into a delicious, Dorito-studded casserole layered with a zesty beef filling – it has all the flavor of our favorite orange chips without all the hassle of orange finger-tips!

Million Dollar Spaghetti – is super easy to put together and has a center layer of creamy, gooey cheese. This is one of my favorite ways to serve spaghetti and people just can’t get enough of it!

Mom’s Porcupine Meatballs –  These super easy meatballs are made with beef and rice then simmered in a delicious tomato sauce

Source: Adapted from Southern Living

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