Loaded Baked Potato Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
This Loaded Baked Potato Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that combines crispy tater tots, creamy sour cream and ranch dressing, smoky bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and fresh green onions baked to bubbly perfection. It’s perfect for family dinners or potlucks, offering all the delicious flavors of a loaded baked potato in an easy-to-make casserole format.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Cheese and Dairy
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
Seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature before baking the casserole.
- Mix sour cream and dressing: In a large bowl, combine the sour cream, ranch dressing, salt, and pepper. This will create a creamy, flavorful base sauce for the casserole.
- Add bacon, onions, and cheese: Stir in the crumbled cooked bacon, chopped green onions, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese into the sour cream mixture, ensuring everything is evenly incorporated.
- Prepare the baking dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish lightly to prevent sticking. Then, evenly spread the frozen tater tots across the bottom, creating a crispy base layer.
- Add the creamy mixture: Pour the sour cream and bacon mixture evenly over the tater tots, making sure it covers the top completely to infuse the casserole with flavor.
- Add remaining cheese: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top to create a golden, cheesy crust once baked.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the cheese is bubbly, melted, and golden brown, and the tater tots are crispy.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set and make serving easier.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of smoked paprika or garlic powder to the sour cream mixture.
- Feel free to substitute cheddar cheese with a cheese blend like Monterey Jack or mozzarella for a different flavor profile.
- Use low-fat or reduced-fat sour cream and ranch dressing for a lighter version.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and add sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers.
Keywords: Loaded Tater Tot Casserole, Baked Potato Casserole, Cheesy Tater Tot Bake, Bacon Tater Tot Casserole, Easy Dinner Casserole
