Crunchy, gooey and delicious, Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole makes breakfast an occasion for the whole family!
Featuring just a handful of ingredients and frozen tater tots, this easy breakfast casserole is great for a crowd or just a weekend brunch with the fam- the ultimate comfort food.
You will love this Bacon Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
I’m a big homemade brunch person, and even more so in this past year. Why should we NOT celebrate the weekend—or any given weekday—with a delicious meal? And maybe an adult beverage…
This cheesy Tater Tot Casserole is our new favorite. It’s bursting with flavor, incredibly balanced and a crowd-pleaser. It’s also on the table in less than an hour if you can put it together quickly—and I believe in you!
This tater tot breakfast has a nice crunch, thanks in part to the tater tots and the crispy bacon. It’s also got some gooeyness, thanks to the cheese. And the eggs cook up beautifully, soaking up all the flavors and just bringing everything together.
Whether you’re making this to celebrate an occasion, a weekend or just because, you’re not going to be disappointed!
Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole ingredients
- Bacon—because it adds, meatiness, flavor and a little crunch, too!
- Eggs – gives it structure and is the glue that holds it together.
- Milk—we used whole milk when testing out this recipe, but it will work with whatever milk you’ve got on hand including alternative milks.
- Creole seasoning—this is one of my favorite kitchen seasoning blends to have on hand because it adds so much flavor and what makes this casserole different from others. It lends a mild pizzazz, but not so much that it isn’t kid friendly.
- Kosher salt—but only if your Creole seasoning doesn’t have added salt
- Black pepper
- Cheddar cheese—or your family’s favorite cheese that can be shredded
- Frozen tater tots—grab your favorite brand at the grocery store! I got regular-sized ones, but I know there are mini tots, too.
What is doesn’t have… cream of mushroom soup. We felt like this made it taste like a dinner meal and also too creamy instead of a nice slice that kept its structure.
We also tested frozen hash browns, but they were challenging to keep crispy and I like a crunchy potato.
Fun fact: 16 oz. bags of tater tots are hard to find, so grab a 32 oz. one! You’ll get two breakfast casseroles out of it… or you can make tots one day to pair with a meal!
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe substitutions
If you would rather use turkey bacon or breakfast sausage, feel free! I would use ½ pound and cook it until crispy, just like the instructions state.
And alternately, if you or your family don’t eat meat, omit the bacon and make the casserole without it.
How to make Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
ONE. First and foremost, preheat your oven and spray your 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
TWO. As the oven preheats, cook the chopped bacon in a skillet (or oven). We want it crispy because nobody likes soggy bacon! Once cooked, scatter most of the bacon the bottom of the baking dish.
THREE. In a large bowl, crack the eggs and season them with milk, Creole seasoning, black pepper and salt, if necessary. Whisk together until combined, and then pour them on top of the bacon.
FOUR. Next, sprinkle most of the cheese on top of the eggs. We want to leave some of the cheese to go on top, so set about a handful of it aside. 😉
FIVE. Then line the pan with the tater tots. I put mine in neat little rows, but you do you and do this however you’d like.
SIX. Finish the top of the casserole by sprinkling on the rest of the cheese and bacon.
SEVEN. Bake the breakfast casserole for 30 minutes uncovered before raising the oven temperature and baking for an additional 5-8 minutes. Why do we do this? It sets the eggs, as well as gets those tots nice and crispy.
EIGHT. Finally, remove the casserole from the oven. (Also, you need to confirm that the eggs are, indeed, cooked, so look for any liquidy spots.) Let it cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing, top with scallions and sour cream. Enjoy!
Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole make ahead & freezing instructions
I have not tried making this the night before, but I would assume this would work. But again, I have not tested it.
This casserole can be frozen after it is cooked. When reheating, place in the oven while still frozen, cooking for twice as long as the original cook time.
Tater Tot Casserole Breakfast storage
Can I make a tater tot breakfast casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the casserole the night before and refrigerate it. In the morning, simply bake it according to the recipe instructions.
Can I freeze a tater tot breakfast casserole?
Yes, you can freeze a tater tot breakfast casserole. Make sure it is completely cooled, then cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap and place it in the freezer. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
How To Store Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. To reheat a tater tot casserole, preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the leftovers in an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Remove the foil during the last few minutes to allow the tater tots to crisp up. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
Tater Tot Casserole with Bacon FAQs
Your tater tot casserole may be runny if there is excess moisture from ingredients like vegetables or if the eggs were not fully cooked.
The beauty of this dish is that it really is a one-dish meal, but if you want to add a side of yogurt, fresh fruit salad or toast, these are good options too.
The terms “tater tot hot dish” and “tater tot casserole” are often used interchangeably and refer to a similar type of dish. The main difference is regional terminology. “Tater tot hot dish” is commonly used in the Upper Midwest, particularly in states like Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, while “tater tot casserole” is a more general term used in other regions. The dish itself typically consists of tater tots, meat, vegetables, and a creamy sauce baked together in a casserole dish.
A casserole typically cooks faster when it is left uncovered. Removing the cover allows heat to circulate more freely, resulting in quicker cooking and browning. However, there may be certain recipes or specific circumstances where covering the casserole is necessary to prevent excessive browning or to retain moisture. It is always best to follow the specific instructions provided in the recipe you are using.
More easy breakfast recipes:
- Crockpot Breakfast Casserole
- Chocolate Raspberry Overnight French Toast Casserole
- Homemade Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls
- Donut Breakfast Sandwich
- Biscuits and Gravy
- Biscuits and Gravy Casserole
- Baked Oats
Crustless Spinach Quiche
Sheet Pan Pancakes
Vegetable Breakfast Pizza
Bacon Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ pound bacon , chopped (5-6 slices, depending on thickness)
- 10 eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning , (if using salt-free add ½ teaspoon salt)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups cheddar cheese , shredded
- 16-20 ounces frozen tater tots
- scallions , for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, and set aside.
- As the oven preheats, cook the chopped bacon in a skillet until crisp. Scatter most on the bottom of the baking dish.
- In a large bowl, crack the eggs and season with milk, Creole seasoning, black pepper and salt, if necessary. Whisk together until combined.
- Pour on the egg mixture on top of the bacon.
- Sprinkle most of the cheese on top of the eggs.
- Line the pan with the tater tots.
- Add the rest of the cheese and bacon on top of the tater tops.
- Bake for 30 minutes uncovered.
- Raise the temperature to 425°F, and bake an additional 5-8 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the tots are crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and topping with scallions, if desired.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings.
Notes
Meat: If you don’t eat bacon or don’t like it, feel free to substitute the same amount of turkey bacon or even breakfast sausage in place of it. Just crisp it up, as the recipe states, before adding it to the casserole dish.
Milk: Dairy free? You can use your favorite unflavored non-dairy milk in place of the milk in this recipe.
Nutrition
My husband just asked me when he walked by when I am making this I guess this weekend is it! Thanks for sharing looks A-M-A-Z-I-N-G
I love a good, hot, and savory breakfast and this casserole is just perfect for my family! Love that it’s both hearty and tasty!
This was such a delicious tater tot casserole. Loved all the flavours, and the kids had seconds.. which is saying something! 😉 Definitely making this for Easter Sunday brunch!
This is my family’s new favorite breakfast. They are already asking me to make it again tomorrow.