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The whole family will love this easy, cheesy tater tot casserole!
It’s made with lean ground turkey in a creamy sauce, topped with golden brown tots and a generous layer of cheese.
This casserole is so easy to make and so comforting, making it perfect for busy weeknights. You’ll be going back for seconds, that’s a guarantee!
What’s in this Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need to create this easy meal:
- Ground turkey. I use 93% lean, as it’s got just enough fat to have some flavor. You could also use ground beef.
- Frozen tater tots
- Cheddar cheese
- Cream of chicken soup
- Bacon. I use uncured turkey bacon, but any kind of bacon will work.
- Eggs
- Mayonnaise
- Chopped green onions (for garnish)
How to Make this Tater Tot Casserole
Brown the Turkey
First, cook the turkey in a large nonstick pan. When it’s almost cooked through, add the diced bacon and let it cook for a few minutes.
Remember that the turkey will finish cooking in the oven, so be careful not to overcook it on the stove.
Combine the filling ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, soup and mayonnaise. Then, stir in the ground turkey mixture so that everything is well combined.
Now, transfer the whole thing to a large baking dish.
Top with Tots
Arrange the tater tots in a single layer over the filling. Try to leave as little open space as possible.
Bake the Casserole – Twice
Pop the casserole into the oven for about 20 minutes. Then, take it out and sprinkle the cheese evenly over the crispy tater tots.
Put it back in the oven to melt the cheese, about 10 more minutes. Now, it’s ready to enjoy!
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
How to Serve Tater Tot Casserole
1. Garnish: Sprinkle chopped green onions over the baked casserole for a pretty finish. You could also use any kind of fresh herbs you like, like rosemary or parsley.
2. Side Salad: For a complete meal, add a simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the casserole.
3. Steamed Veggies: Serve this main dish with a side dish of steamed green beans, broccoli or vegetable medley for a healthy dose of fiber.
Substitutions and Variations
- Cheesy Upgrade: Mix different types of cheeses like mozzarella, Monterey Jack or gouda for an extra cheesy kick.
- Spice It Up: Add a touch of heat with diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
- Vegetarian Twist: Replace ground turkey with plant-based alternatives like crumbled tofu or vegetarian ground meat.
- Breakfast Variation: Swap out the ground turkey for crumbled breakfast sausage to create a yummy brunch casserole.
- Sweet Potato Tots: Substitute regular tater tots with sweet potato tots for a slightly sweeter and nutritious twist to this hearty casserole.
- Soup Swap: Try using different types of cream soup like cream of mushroom or cream of celery for a flavor variation.
What’s the difference between a tater tot casserole and hotdish?
All hotdishes are casseroles, but not all casseroles are hotdishes.
Casserole recipes can take many forms – from side dishes to main meals to desserts. But a hotdish refers specifically to a casserole that contains everything you need for a complete meal (starch, protein, vegetable).
The tater tot hotdish originated in Minnesota during the Great Depression, and it is still super popular there today.
I’m careful not to call this tater tot casserole a hotdish because it technically does not have vegetables, but who knows?
How to Store Leftover Tater Tot Casserole
The easiest way to store leftover tater tot casserole is to cover the entire dish tightly with either plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate. If you plan on eating it the next day, this method is great.
For best results though, carefully transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator.
This is also a great recipe to freeze! Wrap individual servings tightly in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Leftover tater tot casserole reheats beautifully in a warm oven, and makes a super easy weeknight dinner.
When you make this easy casserole recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy!
For more easy dinner recipes, try these:
For more casserole recipes, try these:
Easy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe with Ground Turkey
Ingredients
- 1 2 lb. bag tater tots
- 2 lbs. ground turkey
- 2 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- 6 strips bacon diced
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup scallions diced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Brown turkey in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When turkey is almost browned, add the diced bacon and cook another 2 minutes. Drain liquid and season with salt and black pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, soup and eggs. Add the ground turkey mixture to the egg mixture and stir to combine.
- Transfer the turkey mixture to a 9×13 baking dish. Arrange the tater tots in a single layer over the turkey.
- Bake 20 minutes. Remove the casserole dish from the oven and sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Place it back into the oven for 10 more minutes.
- Let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing into individual servings. Sprinkle with chopped scallions before serving.
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