Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole with Bacon

Crunchy, gooey and delicious, Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole makes breakfast an occasion for the whole family!

overhead of tater tot casserole with bacon and cheese


 

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!

slice of tater tot casserole on a white plate

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

ingredients for breakfast tater tot casserole
  • 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 homemade 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.

bite of cheesy breakfast casserole

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.

whisked eggs in a bowl

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.

hand placing frozen tater tot

SIX. Finish the top of the casserole by sprinkling on the rest of the cheese and bacon.

tater tots with cheese and bacon in a baking dish

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!

overhead of baked egg tater tot casserole
slice of tater tot casserole with scallions

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.

breakfast tater tot casserole for pinterest

Tater Tot Casserole with Bacon FAQs

Why is my tater tot casserole runny?

Your tater tot casserole may be runny if there is excess moisture from ingredients like vegetables or if the eggs were not fully cooked.

What side dish to serve with breakfast casserole?

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.

What is the difference between Tater Tot Hotdish and casserole?

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.

Does a casserole cook faster covered or uncovered?

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.

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close up of bacon and cheese tater tot casserole
overhead of tater tot casserole in blue dish

Bacon Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

4.34 from 9 votes
Crunchy, gooey and delicious, Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole makes breakfast an occasion for the whole family! With just a handful of ingredients and frozen tater tots, this easy breakfast casserole is great for a crowd!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8

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.
    whisked eggs in a white bowl
  • 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.
    tater tots in a casserole
  • Add the rest of the cheese and bacon on top of the tater tops.
    cheese and bacon on egg casserole
  • 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

To store this casserole, simply cover it with plastic wrap. It will keep in the fridge in its original baking dish for 3-4 days. You can also transfer it to a smaller airtight food storage container, too.
To reheat this breakfast casserole, place a slice on a microwave-safe plate. Heat for 30-45 seconds, then check it. Reheat until it’s at your ideal temperature.
Substitutions: This breakfast casserole is excellent because you can easily substitute out ingredients. Here are some ideas of what you can do:
Cheese: Whatever type of shredded cheese your family likes will work here! I do not suggest using a softer cheese, like cream cheese or goat cheese, though I’m sure it would still taste delicious.
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

Calories: 417 kcal, Carbohydrates: 16 g, Protein: 19 g, Fat: 31 g, Saturated Fat: 12 g, Trans Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 254 mg, Sodium: 687 mg, Potassium: 327 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 1 g, Vitamin A: 710 IU, Vitamin C: 4 mg, Calcium: 253 mg, Iron: 2 mg
Author: Erin Parker
Calories: 417
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: breakfast casserole, breakfast tater tot casserole
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
fork digging into cheesy breakfast casserole
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

4.34 from 9 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    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

  2. 5 stars
    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!

  3. 5 stars
    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!