Get the App

Recipes

Find a Recipe Blue Ribbon Recipes Pinch It!™ Feed Browse All Recipes

Editorial

Food Bites & Articles Videos What is a Blue Ribbon? Meet the Test Kitchen

Community

Member Recipes Groups Sweepstakes Contests Shopping

totally customizable tater tot casserole

(1 rating)
SheWolfZ avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Lori Zimmer
@SheWolfZ
Camp Hill, PA

This is a great recipe for families. Kids love tater tots! It’s also a dish that you can make your own by varying the meat or vegetable base ingredients as well as the cheese and even the seasonings. I’ve provided three main choices — SPAM or ham, a mix of onions and mushrooms, or sausage — but you can experiment with others. Try leftover barbecue, perhaps broccoli or spinach! How about swapping some Fontina for the cheddar and adding some dried basil to the egg mixture? Let your tastes and imagination be your guides!

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Easy to make and hearty, this tater tot casserole is customizable. We tested with Spam as our base, but use what your family likes. Spam adds a savory flavor to the casserole. Onions and mushrooms are fresh ingredients that add a touch of texture. Eggs and cheese make it creamy and cheesy. Tater tots on top are baked until golden brown and crisp. We sprinkled a little extra cheese and green onions for flavor and color. Serve this tater tot casserole for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It was a hit in the Test Kitchen and will be for your family, too.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(1 rating)
yield 6 to 8
prep time 10 Min
cook time 35 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For totally customizable tater tot casserole

  • BASE - CHOOSE ONE
  • 12 oz
    Spam or ham, diced
  • 1 1/2 c
    chopped onions and mushrooms
  • 12 oz
    ground breakfast sausage
  • REMAINING INGREDIENTS
  • 8 lg
    eggs
  • 1/2 c
    milk
  • 1 tsp
    salt
  • 1/4 tsp
    black pepper
  • 1 tsp
    garlic powder
  • 2 c
    shredded cheddar cheese (8 ounces)
  • 1 bag
    frozen tater tots (32 oz)
  • optional: additional shredded cheese
  • optional: chopped green onions or chives

How To Make totally customizable tater tot casserole

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    1
    Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Cooking onions and mushrooms.
    2
    Prepare a 12-inch, oven-safe nonstick or well-seasoned cast iron skillet. If using ham, SPAM, or onions and mushrooms, lightly spray the pan with cooking oil. If using sausage, omit the oil. If using ham or SPAM, no precooking is necessary. If using onions and mushrooms, saute the vegetables until tender but not mushy; remove from heat. If using sausage, cook until browned and cooked through (about 5 to 7 minutes). Remove from heat but do not drain.
  • SPAM, mushrooms, and onions in a skillet.
    3
    Spread meat or vegetables evenly across bottom of skillet.
  • Whisk eggs, milk, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
    4
    In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt (omit salt if using ham or SPAM), black pepper, and garlic powder.
  • Sprinkle the shredded cheese and pour the egg mixture over the cheese.
    5
    Sprinkle the shredded cheese in an even layer on top of the meat or vegetables. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the cheese.
  • Place tater tots on the eggs.
    6
    Starting at the outer edge, place frozen tater tots in a circle on top of the mixture. When that circle is complete, begin another row inside the first. Continue placing tater tots in concentric circles until you have reached the center of the casserole. You will not use the entire bag; reserve any extra for future use.
  • Bake the tater tot casserole.
    7
    Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes or until eggs have set.
  • Cheese sprinkled over the casserole and melting in the oven.
    8
    If desired, sprinkle with additional shredded cheese. Return to oven until the cheese melts; about 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Totally Customizable Tater Tot Casserole on a plate.
    9
    Remove from oven and allow to sit for about 2 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with chopped green onions or chives Cut into wedges and serve.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
ADVERTISEMENT