Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Part of the classic Southern cookout spread, you'll often find Tater Tots gracing the tables of church potlucks and family barbecues. These crispy potato bites are, in fact, more likely to be chosen than fries or onion rings as an accompanying side dish.

However, if you're looking to take Tater Tots from a side dish to a hearty main, look no further than this loaded Tater Tot breakfast casserole. With just 15 minutes of active prep time, this recipe is quick and easy to whip up for a lazy weekend or Sunday brunch.

Not a morning person? That's OK. This Tater Tot egg casserole can be assembled the night before and put in the oven the following day, so breakfast will be ready and waiting for you, with minimal effort required on your part.

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Ingredients

Full of early morning favorites like eggs, cheese, potatoes, and bacon, this Tater Tot breakfast casserole is the perfect one-dish meal. The addition of a Cheddar cheese topping, that's baked to rich-and-gooey perfection, elevates this hearty casserole to a crowd-pleasing favorite.

Here are the main ingredients you'll find in this Tater Tot breakfast casserole:

• Eggs: Eggs in casseroles act as binders.
• Tater Tots: The star of the recipe, Tater Tots, are bite-sized potato treats that are fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. While using a frozen bag of Tater Tots will undoubtedly save on prep time, for even more flavor, try making them yourself at home.
• Milk: Whole milk serves as the liquid in this Tater Tot breakfast casserole recipe to make a custard-like base. Compared to quiches—which use a 2:1 ratio of egg to liquid— this recipe uses more eggs than milk, giving the filling a firmer texture when baked.
• Cheese: The key to most casserole recipes lies in the amount of cheese it requires, and this Tater Tot breakfast bake has plenty to keep things creamy and gooey. You can swap out half a cup of Monterey Jack for some smoked Gouda to switch things up.
• Bacon: The bacon in this recipe adds both a smoky flavor and extra seasoning to the finished casserole. Don't have any bacon on hand? Make a tater tot breakfast casserole with sausage instead by swapping out the bits of crumbled bacon with cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage instead.

How To Make Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

With several simple ingredients that you'll probably have in your pantry and fridge, you can make this layered breakfast bake in two easy steps, using just one baking dish.

• Step 1. Whisk the egg mixture: Whisk together eggs, Monterey Jack cheese, milk, and seasonings in a large bowl.
• Step 2. Assemble the casserole: Lightly grease a 13- x 9-inch casserole dish and arrange the Tater Tots in an even layer. Pour the egg-and-cheese mixture over the tots until evenly covered. Top the casserole with shredded Cheddar cheese.
• Step 3. Bake the casserole: Bake as directed for approximately 45 minutes until the cheese has melted and is beginning to golden on top. Let the casserole stand for 10 minutes. Sprinkle the crumbled smoked bacon on top before serving.

Can I Make This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Vegetarian?

If your potluck or weekend brunch has a few vegetarian guests, a couple of substitutions will quickly turn this Tater Tot breakfast bake into a vegetarian-friendly dish that can be enjoyed by all.

Use a plant-based milk: Swapping out the whole milk for a plant-based version is an easy way to make your casserole dairy-free. Chef and TV personality Carla Hall recommends using almond milk as a substitute, thanks to its ability to take on flavors really well.

Use bacon bits instead: Skip the smoked bacon slices and instead sprinkle some imitation bacon bits over the top of your Tater Tot breakfast casserole—they're made from textured soy flour and completely vegan.

Use a dairy-free cheese: The dairy-free or vegan cheese world has come a long way in the past couple of years, with ample substitutes now available for Cheddar and other aged cheeses from brands such as Daiya, Forager Project, and Miyoko's Creamery.

How To Serve Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

With eggs, two types of cheese, bacon, and potatoes, this casserole recipe does just fine when served on its own. However, if you'd like to add a side of fruit or veggie-forward side to round out your breakfast or weekend brunch, here are a few recipes we recommend trying:

• Fresh Fruit Salad
• Cheesecake Fruit Salad
• Roasted Tomatoes
• Skillet-Roasted Carrots

How To Store Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Making eight servings, this Tater Tot casserole is sure to leave you with leftovers that last through the week.

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to four days, or freeze it—we recommend dividing it into single serving sizes and wrapping each in aluminum foil—for up to three months.

Can I Freeze This Casserole for Later?

The beauty of this breakfast bake is that it freezes wonderfully as an entire casserole or as individual-sized servings of leftovers. So, if you're looking to make this recipe in advance, all you have to do is assemble the casserole and bake it before freezing the whole dish.

Defrost overnight in the fridge, and reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

Community Tips

"I mixed the cooked chopped bacon in with the egg mixture. I also added a teaspoon of Tastefully Simple's Rustic Herb seasoning into the egg mixture," says reviewer Lisa Ferree.

"I like a little chopped onion in mine or sliced green onions on top for some color," says reviewer bamatami.

"I served it with sliced avocado, soft, warmed, flour tortillas. On the side I had salsa, pickled nacho style jalapeno rings, and tobasco [sic]. It was Deeeelicious!!!" says one reviewer.

Editorial contributions by Christabel Lobo.