Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

When I’m hosting overnight guests, I do my future self a favor by preparing Tater Tot breakfast casserole before going to sleep. That way, I can stagger out of bed, preheat the oven and put the casserole in just as the coffee’s finished brewing. Everyone wakes to the smells of a hearty breakfast casserole: eggs, cheese, smoky Canadian bacon and Tater Tots. It’s a filling breakfast that appeals to eaters of every age. Best of all, the basic recipe is endlessly adaptable; mix it up by layering in vegetables, dialing up flavor with herbs or playing with fun toppings.

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Ingredients

• Canola oil: Saute the onion and Canadian bacon to make them crisp, not soggy, in the casserole.
• Onion: Chop up onion to add a tender bite to the casserole.
• Canadian bacon: Pieces of Canadian bacon add smoky notes.
• Tater Tots: Defrost the tots before starting this recipe!
• Eggs: Like most breakfast bakes, this casserole has a base of eggs whisked with cream, seasonings and cheese.
• Sour cream: Sour cream makes for slightly tangy eggs. Our recipe calls for reduced-fat sour cream; however, you can use regular sour cream, if you prefer.
• Half-and-half: To make the casserole extra rich, we use half-and-half. You could also use whipping cream or whole milk.
• Seasonings: Dried parsley flakes, garlic powder and pepper add mild flavor to the casserole bake.
• Cheddar cheese: You can buy a pack of pre-shredded cheese, but we prefer to shred cheese at home.

Directions

Step 1: Saute the onion and Canadian bacon

Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring until it’s tender, two to three minutes. Add the Canadian bacon and cook until it’s lightly browned, one to two minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside.

Step 2: Line a dish with Tater Tots

Line the bottom of a greased 11×7-inch baking dish with Tater Tots. Top the Tater Tots with the Canadian bacon mixture.

Step 3: Whisk up the eggs

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, half-and-half and seasonings until they’re blended. Stir in the cheddar cheese, then pour the egg mixture over the top of the Tater Tots, onion and Canadian bacon.

Step 4: Bake the casserole

Bake the casserole, uncovered, until the top is golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes.

Recipe Variations

• Swap proteins: Instead of Canadian bacon, use bacon, ham, chorizo or breakfast sausage.
• Add extra vegetables: Toss some veg into the eggs. Diced bell peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, jalapenos, asparagus and broccoli all taste great in a breakfast casserole.
• Change up the cheese: More flavorful options include Mexican cheese blends, Gouda, Colby or Monterey Jack.
• Add fresh herbs: Stir a generous pinch of minced cilantro, dill, parsley or chives into the eggs.
• Top with a garnish: Boost flavor and texture with a final scattering of chopped green onions or scallions, some cooked crumbled bacon, a spoonful of salsa or a dollop of sour cream.

How to Store Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Store leftover casserole in the refrigerator. Cover the dish with foil or storage wrap once it’s completely cool.

How long does Tater Tot breakfast casserole last?

In the fridge, the casserole will keep well for up to four days.

Can you freeze leftover Tater Tot breakfast casserole?

Yes, it’s easy to freeze casseroles. You can freeze the entire pan (cover it tightly with two different layers, like storage wrap and then foil), or freeze individual portions of casserole in freezer bags. The casserole will freeze well for up to three months. Defrost the casserole in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

How do you reheat Tater Tot breakfast casserole?

Heat up leftover breakfast casserole one portion at a time in the microwave or toaster oven. If you intend to finish it, stick the entire pan back into the oven at 350° until it’s warmed through.

Can you make Tater Tot breakfast casserole ahead of time?

Definitely! This is a great make-ahead breakfast. Assemble the loaded Tater Tot casserole up to 24 hours in advance, then cover and refrigerate it until it’s time to bake.

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Tips

What else can you serve with Tater Tot breakfast casserole?

This breakfast casserole makes a good one-dish meal. To make it part of a larger menu, serve this casserole alongside bacon or sausages, fruit salad and a sweet breakfast recipe, such as French toast casserole. This also makes a tasty lunch, ideally with a green salad on the side.

How can you tell when Tater Tot breakfast casserole is cooked?

When baked, the casserole will turn golden brown (especially at the edges) and puff up a bit in the middle. It will continue to solidify as it cools.

Can you make Tater Tot breakfast casserole with a crispy top?

Since the tots are arranged at the base of the casserole, they won’t get crispy; instead, they create a chewy crust for the eggs. If you like casseroles with crispy tops, don’t mix all of the shredded cheese into the eggs. Instead, reserve about half the cheese and sprinkle it over the casserole before baking. Scatter some cooked bacon on top, too, to add crunch.