Easy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Introduction

Say goodbye to complicated morning meals with this incredibly delicious tater tot breakfast casserole! It’s the perfect blend of crispy tater tots, fluffy cheesy eggs, and savory ham, all baked together in one dish. This crowd-pleasing recipe offers amazing flavor and convenience. You can even prepare it ahead of time, making your family breakfasts or brunch gatherings a breeze.

Why You’ll Love This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

This fantastic breakfast bake quickly becomes a family favorite for many reasons:

• Quick and Simple Preparation: Minimal steps mean you spend less time in the kitchen.
• Readily Available Ingredients: You likely have most items already on hand.
• Hearty, Filling, and Satisfying: A complete meal that keeps you full all morning.
• Highly Customizable: Easily adapt it to suit everyone’s preferences.
• Ideal for Feeding a Crowd: Perfect for brunches, holidays, or large families.
• Great for Meal Prepping: Prepare it ahead for stress-free mornings.
• Irresistible Crispy Tater Tots: Enjoy that delightful crunch in every bite.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create your savory tater tot breakfast casserole. This hearty dish comes together easily with items you can find at any grocery store.

• Frozen Tater Tots: 1 (30-32 ounce) bag
• Diced Ham: 16 ounces, cooked
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: 1 ½ cups
• Shredded Mozzarella or Monterrey Jack Cheese: 1 cup
• Large Eggs: 8
• Milk: ½ cup, any kind (dairy or non-dairy)
• Sour Cream: 1 cup, full-fat for best results
• Salt: ½ teaspoon
• Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon
• Garlic Powder: ½ teaspoon
• Onion Powder: ½ teaspoon
• Hot Sauce: 1-2 teaspoons, optional

Notes & Substitutions

Feel free to customize this breakfast casserole to your taste! For the meat, you can easily swap the ham for cooked breakfast sausage or crispy bacon. If you prefer a different flavor profile, use your favorite cheese blend, like Swiss or Pepper Jack. Full-fat sour cream gives the creamiest texture, but light sour cream also works. You can use liquid egg substitute instead of fresh eggs. To enhance the flavor, try adding a pinch of smoked paprika. For a delicious vegetarian option, simply omit the meat and add sautéed vegetables like bell peppers or spinach.

Equipment

You only need a few basic kitchen items to prepare this delightful casserole.

• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Non-stick cooking spray

Instructions

Making this delicious tater tot breakfast casserole is straightforward, even for beginners. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.

1. Preheat oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare baking dish: Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
3. Combine solids: Evenly layer the frozen tater tots, diced ham, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese into the prepared baking dish.
4. Toss lightly: Gently toss these ingredients together in the dish using your hands. This ensures everything is well-distributed for even cooking and flavor in your finished casserole.
5. Whisk egg mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the large eggs, milk, sour cream, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and hot sauce (if you’re using it). Whisk until everything is fully combined and smooth.
6. Pour over casserole: Carefully pour the egg mixture evenly over the tater tot and ham layers in the baking dish. Make sure the liquid covers all the ingredients as much as possible, as this will bind the casserole together.
7. First bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes. The casserole should be golden brown and the eggs mostly set in the center.
8. Add final cheese: Remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
9. Melt cheese: Return the casserole to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
10. Cool slightly: Let the tater tot breakfast casserole rest on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps it set and makes for cleaner slices.
11. Serve warm: Cut into individual portions and enjoy immediately while it’s warm and delicious.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Achieving the best results with your tater tot breakfast casserole is simple with a few helpful tips. To ensure crispy tots, always use frozen tater tots directly from the bag; do not thaw them beforehand. For optimal texture in baked dishes, it’s often recommended to keep frozen ingredients like tater tots in their frozen state, as detailed in these techniques for preventing soggy tater tots. To prevent a soggy casserole, avoid over-mixing the ingredients after adding the egg mixture. This can crush the tots and release too much moisture. Always spread all ingredients uniformly in the baking dish to ensure even cooking and browning throughout. You can check for doneness by looking for a golden brown top, puffy edges, and a set center. Insert a knife into the center; if it comes out clean, your casserole is ready. Lastly, if you’re using uncooked meat like sausage, always pre-cook it thoroughly before adding it to the casserole. This ensures food safety and enhances the flavor.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

Serving Suggestions

Elevate your tater tot breakfast casserole with simple garnishes and side dishes. Top individual servings with fresh chopped chives or thinly sliced green onions for a burst of freshness. A dollop of salsa, a dash of extra hot sauce, or creamy avocado slices can add extra flavor and texture. For a well-rounded meal, pair this hearty casserole with a light and refreshing fresh fruit salad.

Storage & Reheating

For comprehensive guidelines on safe food storage, including how long various cooked foods can be refrigerated, consult official sources. Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best texture, reheat individual portions in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, usually about 15-20 minutes. You can also microwave it, but the tots may lose some crispness. To make this easy breakfast casserole ahead, assemble it as directed, cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate unbaked for up to 12 hours. Bake as usual when ready. For longer storage, bake the casserole completely, let it cool, then wrap individual portions or the whole casserole tightly in foil and plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Recipe Variations

This adaptable tater tot breakfast casserole invites creativity!

• Meaty variations: Substitute the ham with cooked breakfast sausage, crumbled and drained, or crispy, chopped bacon for different savory profiles.
• Vegetarian delight: For a meat-free option, load it up with sautéed bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or fresh spinach.
• Spicy kick: If you love heat, incorporate finely diced jalapeños (seeded for less heat) or a few extra dashes of your favorite hot sauce into the egg mixture.
• Cheese blend: Experiment with other cheeses like Swiss for a nutty flavor, Monterey Jack for extra meltiness, or Pepper Jack for a gentle spice.

Nutrition

This hearty tater tot breakfast casserole offers a satisfying start to your day. It provides a good source of protein and carbohydrates, keeping you full and energized. Please remember that nutritional information is an approximation and can vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.

FAQ

• Can I make this tater tot casserole ahead of time? Yes, you can assemble the entire casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it unbaked overnight. Simply bake it in the morning.
• How do I prevent the tater tots from getting soggy? Ensure your tater tots are frozen when you add them to the dish, and avoid thawing them first. Also, ensure the casserole bakes thoroughly until golden brown.
• What kind of milk works best? Any type of milk, whether dairy (whole, 2%, skim) or non-dairy (almond, soy), will work perfectly in this recipe.
• Can I add vegetables to this casserole? Absolutely! Feel free to add your favorite sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, onions, spinach, or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrients.
• Is this recipe suitable for freezing? Yes, it freezes well. Bake the tater tot breakfast casserole completely, let it cool thoroughly, then wrap it tightly and freeze for up to two months.

Conclusion

This easy tater tot breakfast casserole is truly a breakfast game-changer. It perfectly balances crispy tater tots, savory meat, and fluffy cheesy eggs, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With its simple preparation and versatility, this recipe is perfect for busy mornings or special brunch occasions. Give it a try, and you’ll quickly discover why it’s a staple in so many homes. We’d love to hear how you enjoyed this delicious dish, so please leave a comment, rating, or share it with friends!

Easy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

This simple and satisfying casserole combines crispy tater tots, savory ham, and a cheesy egg mixture, perfect for a hearty breakfast or brunch.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 550

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 30-32 Ounce Bag Frozen Tater Tots
• 16 Ounces Diced Ham See note on meat choice.
• 1 1/2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella or Monterrey Jack Cheese
• 8 Large Eggs
• 1/2 Cup Milk
• 1 Cup Sour Cream
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
• 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1-2 Teaspoons Hot Sauce Optional

Equipment

• 9x13 inch baking dish
• Large bowl
• Whisk

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
2. Combine tater tots, diced ham, 1 cup cheddar, and 1 cup mozzarella in the prepared baking dish.
3. Whisk together eggs, milk, sour cream, seasonings, and optional hot sauce in a large bowl.
4. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the tater tot and ham mixture in the pan.
5. Bake for 45 minutes until golden brown, then sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese and bake for another 5 minutes until melted.

Notes

Feel free to use cooked sausage or bacon instead of ham for variation. Ensure all meat is cooked and diced before adding.