This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is a winner for busy mornings, entertaining or holidays, because it’s prep ahead friendly, feeds a crowd, easy to make AND is “absolutely delicious,” a “keeper” and “our favorite” (read the reviews)! It can be prepped in less than 20 minutes and baked immediately OR refrigerated until ready to serve (instructions included). Best of all, this warm, creamy, cheesy, crispy recipe is elevated by using tater tots in both the filling AND the topping for textural bliss, adept seasonings, green chilies, and both cheddar and pepper Jack – no bland casserole here!
tater tot breakfast casserole video
why this Easy Tater Tot Casserole is the best
This breakfast casserole is a game changer – just in time for Father’s Day! Most Tater Tot Breakfast Casseroles either use tater tots in the filling so they bake up soft or they add tater tots to the top of the casserole – so the filling is lacking. To remedy this problem, this recipe uses tater tots in both the filling AND the topping! Now you are rewarded with soft, pillowy tater tots in the filling and crispy on the outside, soft on the inside tater tots on the top. The level of textural pleasure this creates cannot be overrated. Once you sink your teeth into this breakfast casserole, you won’t be able to stop!
REASONS TO LOVE THIS TATER TOT CASSEROLE BREAKFAST
TATER TOT BREAKFAST CASSEROLE INGREDIENTS
This easy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole recipe uses pantry friendly ingredients. Just keep a package of tater tots and sausage in your freezer, and you should have everything else on hand. Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need (measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):
- Tater tots: everyone’s favorite potato puff is the star of this breakfast casserole. You’ll want to use one 32-ounce package of tater tots found in the freezer section. DON’T thaw them first or they won’t bake up as crispy.
- Sausage: use bulk sausage, which is simply sausage that that has not been put into a natural casing, so it’s easy to cook and crumble. Jimmy Dean is an example of bulk sausage. I recommend hot bulk sausage for the best flavor. It will not make your Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole hot, but will add a little kick to wake things up a bit. If you use plain sausage, you’ll want to add some red pepper flakes.
- Aromatics: one yellow onion and a few garlic cloves build the flavor base.
- Bell peppers: one red bell pepper for sweetness and one green bell pepper for earthiness. You may also substitute with other vegetables. If they are a longer cooking vegetable, you will want to cook them longer with the sausage to soften.
- Cheese: always two cheeses please! I use sharp cheddar and Pepper Jack but you may also use sharp and either Monterrey Jack or mozzarella. Sharp cheese boasts enough flavor to cut through the richness of the casserole and pepper Jack melts beautifully to add delightful creaminess with a sassy kick.
- Eggs: 8 eggs! We need a significant number of eggs to envelop all of the ingredients and bind them together.
- Half and half: is crucial to create a luscious and creamy egg mixture that won’t dry out once baked. You can combine 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup milk to make half and half if that’s what you have on hand.
- Green chiles: you will need one 4 oz. can mild diced green chiles. They are not spicy, just add tangy flavor, just take care you get the MILD vs HOT. I have mistakenly purchased the hot diced green chiles before and they will knock your socks off!
- Seasonings: parsley, paprika, ground mustard, salt and pepper round out the flavor profile – no bland breakfast casserole here!
How to make Breakfast Casserole with Tater Tots
You are going to love how easy this breakfast casserole is to make! Let’s take a closer look with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):
- Step 1: Cook sausage and veggies. It’s important to cook the sausage first to render the fat. We also cook the onions and peppers with the sausage to save time and to infuse them with flavor. If you decide to use other veggies, add them with the sausage as well. Transfer the sausage mixture to a lightly greased 9×13 baking dish and allow to cool slightly – otherwise if you stir in the cheese immediately, you’ll end up with a clumpy mess.
- Step 2: Whisk egg mixture. Whisk together eggs, half and half, and seasonings. I like to whisk them together in a large liquid measuring cup so it is easy to pour.
- Step 3: Assemble. Add half of the tater tots to the baking dish with the sausage and half of both cheeses – ¾ cup cheddar and ¾ pepper Jack. You’ll use the rest of the cheese to top the casserole later. Stir everything to evenly combine then spread into an even layer. Pour Egg Mixture over the sausage mixture, then sprinkle remaining tater tots over top.
- Step 4: Bake. Bake the Tater Tot Casserole uncovered at 350 degrees F until the eggs are set. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Return to the oven and bake an additional 5-10 minutes to melt the cheese.
How long to cook Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole with Sausage
This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is a hearty, thick casserole, so it requires about 75-90 minutes to bake. There are several factors that affect baking time such as the type of casserole dish (glass, ceramic, cast iron, etc.), actual oven temperature and actual ingredients, so you will want to check for doneness at the beginning of the cooking window.
To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the breakfast casserole. A clean toothpick means the casserole is ready. You can also use an instant read thermometer inserted into the center of the pan to check if it has reached 160-170 degrees F.
Make ahead Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole
You can prep this Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole in steps if you prefer. This is helpful if you want to prep more than 24 hours in advance:
- Sausage: brown the sausage, bell peppers and onions, cool, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.
- Cheese: shred and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
- Egg mixture: whisk the egg mixture together, cover, and store in an airtight container for up to 48 hours. Give the mixture a whisk before using.
Now all that’s left to do is mix the sausage mixture with the tater tots/cheese and then stir in the egg mixture. Easy peasy!
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole tips
- Don’t thaw the tater tots. The tater tots will have the best texture if they aren’t thawed first. If you are making ahead, keep the half of the tater tots for the topping in the freezer until ready to pop the casserole in the oven.
- Freshly grated cheese please. Use only freshly grated cheeses as packaged cheeses contain anti-clumping chemicals which inhibits their melting ability.
- Keep proportions. Although you can swap out the meat and vegetables in this breakfast casserole recipe, you will want to keep the proportions the same so there is enough egg mixture to envelop the filling.
- Bake uncovered. This will allow the tater tots to brown and get crispy!
- Don’t overcook. Keep an eye on the Tater Tot Casserole and don’t overbake. The casserole is forgiving but it won’t be as creamy if overbaked.
- Make ahead or freeze. You can make the breakfast casserole ahead of time and just pop in the oven in the morning or freeze before or after baking. Instructions to follow.
Easy Tater Tot Casserole variations
This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is really a formula with a creamy egg base – you can customize the veggies, meat, cheeses and even the tater tots to make it differently every time! Here are some ways to mix it up:
- Make it vegetarian: if you are vegetarian, then omit the sausage and replace it with an equal number of vegetables or your favorite non-meat substitute. Season with some salt and pepper and a dash of red pepper flakes.
- Choose meat: I love hot bulk sausage but you can use breakfast sausage, Italian sausage, turkey sausage, bacon, turkey bacon or ham. You will want to cook any raw protein first before adding it to the egg mixture. I suggest adding a dash of red pepper flakes if not using hot sausage. You can also use chorizo without any additional seasonings.
- Choose vegetables: the possibilities are endless! You may swap the red and green bell peppers for sautéed corn, mushrooms, broccoli, spinach, artichokes, roasted bell peppers, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, etc. There are 2 important factors to keep in mind when customizing veggies: 1) sauté the vegetables first – don’t add raw vegetables to the casserole or they will remain raw when baked; 2) keep the ratios the same. You don’t want to add additional vegetables without subtracting vegetables or tater tots or there won’t be enough creamy eggs to envelop the veggies.
- Choose cheese: use the suggested sharp cheddar and pepper Jack or swap the pepper Jack for another cheese that melts well such as Mozzarella, Gruyere, Swiss, Monterrey Jack, Colby Jack, Fontina, or Gouda. You can also add some other non-melting cheeses in addition just for flavor such as Parmesan or feta.
- Choose add-ins: in additional to different vegetables, you can also add jarred jalapenos, olives and additional fresh herbs such as fresh chives, basil, parsley, oregano, etc.
Toppings for Breakfast Casserole with Tater Tots
This breakfast casserole is fabulous as is, or serve it with ketchup, salsa, salsa verde, hot sauce, sour cream and/or avocado slices.
What to serve with this Tater Tot Casserole Breakfast
This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is a meal-in-one – all it needs is fruit! Just add some orange slices or cantaloupe and call it a day or pair it with any of the following for a more elaborate feast:
- Fruit: acai bowls, fruit salad, winter fruit salad, cranberry ambrosia salad, yogurt fruit salad.
- Bread: simple toast, or avocado toast, cinnamon roll monkey bread, sweet orange roll bread twists, lemon bread, cornbread.
- Muffins: French toast muffins, blueberry muffins, cornbread muffins, chocolate zucchini muffins, pumpkin muffins, Nutella snickerdoodle muffins.
- Coffee cake: cream cheese banana coffee cake, blueberry coffee cake, strawberry coffee cake, cream cheese strawberry coffee cake.
- Waffles: gingerbread waffles, Hawaiian waffles, chocolate waffles.
- Pancakes & crepes: Nutella pumpkin crepes, carrot cake crepes, sweet potato pancakes, mini German apple pancakes.
OVERNIGHT BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is a make ahead dream! You can assemble it a day ahead of time or freeze it for later use.
To make ahead and serve later:
1. Assemble the breakfast casserole according to recipe instructions but DON’T add the tater tops on top. Keep this half of the tater tots frozen until ready to use.
2. Tightly cover with plastic wrap.
3. Refrigerate unbaked casserole a few hours up to 24.
4. When ready to bake, remove plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
5. Add the remaining half of frozen tater tots and bake according to recipe directions, adding an additional 10-15 minutes as needed.
How to store Easy Tater Tot Casserole
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole should be covered tightly or transferred to an airtight container in the refrigerator. When stored correctly, it is good for up to 5 days.
How to reheat Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole with Sausage
To reheat breakfast casserole:
-Microwave: warm individual servings on a microwave safe plate in the microwave for about a minute or until warmed though. I like to cut my slice in half before microwaving so it warms evenly and cover with a damp paper towel so it doesn’t dry out.
-Oven: you can reheat the entire pan by covering with foil and baking at 325 degrees F for 20 minutes or until heated through (will depend on number of servings left).
TO FREEZE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE WITH TATER TOTS BEFORE BAKING
You can freeze this breakfast casserole recipe either before baking or after baking. To freeze before baking:
1. Assemble the breakfast casserole according to recipe instructions but DON’T add the tater tops on top. Keep this half of the tater tots frozen until ready to use, otherwise they will thaw with the casserole and won’t bake up crispy.
2. Cover the casserole with two layers of plastic wrap followed by a layer of foil.
3. Freeze for up to 2 months.
4. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
5. When ready to bake, remove plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
6. Add the remaining half of frozen tater tots and bake according to recipe directions, adding an additional 10-15 minutes as needed.
TO FREEZE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE AFTER BAKING
Note, the tater tots won’t be as crispy, but still tasty once thawed:
1. Let casserole cool completely. It is best to let it chill overnight in the refrigerator before freezing.
2. Freeze the entire baking dish by covering the casserole with two layers of plastic wrap followed by a layer of foil OR portion the casserole into small servings and transfer slices to sealable plastic bags or small airtight containers.
3. Freeze for up to 2 months.
4. You can reheat individual servings straight from frozen on a microwave safe plate.
5. To reheat the entire casserole, allow it to thaw completely overnight.
Cover and bake at 350 degrees F until heated through, approximately 20 minutes.
Tater Tot Casserole Breakfast FAQs
This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole can be gluten free if you double check the ingredient labels. Some ingredients you think are gluten free may not be.
The sausage doesn’t contain any gluten but not all manufacturers meet USDA standards for “gluten-free” because they are cross contaminated by either using shared equipment or by being made in the same facility as gluten grains. Some sausages even contain rusk made from wheat. Jimmy Dean Sausage is an example of sausage that is not gluten free. You can check out this Gluten Free Sausage Brand list or double check the packaging to ensure your sausage is certified gluten free.
The tater tots are another ingredient to look out for. You would think they would all be gluten free, but some actually contain gluten! Look for certified gluten free tater tots which should be easy to find and clearly labeled.
A tater tot casserole may turn out soggy if milk is used instead of half and half. Milk will not thicken like half and half while baking, leading to excess moisture that never gets absorbed. Additionally, sogginess can occur if the vegetables are not well sautéed before adding to the casserole to reduce moisture. Lastly, make sure the eggs are fully cooked through before removing the casserole from the oven.
Remember that the key is to reheat gradually and to monitor the process to avoid overcooking. The method you choose may depend on the type of casserole and your kitchen equipment.
The key is to reheat the tater tot casserole gradually and to monitor closely to avoid overcooking. To reheat in the oven, cover the casserole dish with foil to trap moisture and heat it gradually until warmed through at 325 degrees F. If reheating in the microwave, place a damp paper towel over the casserole to help prevent drying. This creates a steamy environment.
Looking for more breakfast casserole Recipes?
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Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole
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Ingredients
- 1 32-ounce bag frozen Tater Tots®, divided (DON'T THAW)
- 1 pound hot bulk pork sausage (see notes for turkey)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cup freshly grated pepper Jack cheese
EGG MIXTURE
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 4 ounces diced green chilies
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp EACH paprika, ground mustard, dried oregano, salt, pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9"x13" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage, onions and bell peppers and cook while crumbling the sausage until the sausage is cooked through and onions are softened. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Drain grease and add the mixture to the baking dish. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In large bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together all of the Egg Mixture ingredients; set aside
- Add half of the tater tots to the baking dish with the sausage and half of both cheeses (¾ cup each cheese). Stir everything to combine then spread into an even layer.
- Pour Egg Mixture over the sausage mixture, then sprinkle remaining tater tots over top.
- Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F for 70-80 minutes or until eggs are set. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Return to the oven and bake an additional 5-10 minutes to melt the cheese. Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped chives or green onions if desired.
Video
Notes
- Turkey: you can swap with turkey sausage and a 1/8-¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper. I also like to add 1 teaspoon beef bouillon.
- Cheese: use the suggested sharp cheddar and pepper Jack or swap the pepper Jack for another cheese that melts well such as Mozzarella, Gruyere, Swiss, Monterrey Jack, Colby Jack, Fontina, or Gouda. Use only freshly grated cheeses as packaged cheeses contain anti-clumping chemicals which inhibits their melting ability.
- Variations: you can swap out the meat and vegetables for your favorites but keep the proportions the same so there is enough egg mixture to envelop the filling.
- Storage: cover tightly or transfer to an airtight container in the refrigerator. Store for up to 5 days.
HOW TO REHEAT
- Microwave: warm individual servings on a microwave safe plate in the microwave for about a minute or until warmed though. I like to cut my slice in half before microwaving so it warms evenly.
- Oven: you can reheat the entire pan by covering with foil and baking at 325 degrees F for 20 minutes or until heated through (will depend on number of servings left).
OVERNIGHT BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
- Assemble the breakfast casserole according to recipe instructions but DON’T add the tater tops on top. Keep this half of the tater tots frozen until ready to use.
- Tightly cover with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate unbaked casserole a few hours up to 24.
- When ready to bake, remove plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Add the remaining half of frozen tater tots and bake according to recipe directions, adding an additional 10-15 minutes as needed.
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Stephanie says
Made this for the family breakfast for my son’s 13th birthday, along with some waffles/strawberries & whipped cream in case they didn’t like it, haha. It was absolutely delicious! I’ve seen so many tater tot casserole recipes but have never made one before. The hot sausage was a great choice for this casserole, gave it great flavor with just the most subtle heat that even the kids love. Thanks for another yummy recipe Jen!
Jen says
You’re so welcome Stephanie, thanks for making them! I’m so glad this recipe wasn’t a bust but your entire breakfast spread with the sweet and savory sounds wonderful! Please tell your son happy birthday from me!
Barbara says
Just sent this to work with my husband for a morning holiday party. It smells and looks amazing! I will definitely make this again!
Jen says
Thanks Barbara, hopefully you get to enjoy it next time!
DJC says
I made this for Christmas morning, everyone loved it. I didnt have any green chilis , and had to make homemade half and half, but it still came out fine. Will make it again next Christmas eve !
Jen says
Thanks DJC! I’m so pleased this casserole will be a new tradition! Merry Christmas!
Jim Krasas says
I was thinking this would be good with variations of the Green Giant Veggie Tots like Sweet Potato, cauliflower or broccoli
Jen says
YUM! Love that idea!
Jeannie says
This is a keeper! Made it for company and it was a big hit! Thank you for sharing!
Jen says
You’re so welcome Jeannie, I’m so pleased everyone loved it!
Lindsay N says
You used like hot Italian sausage? Old you use breakfast sausage?
Jen says
It is hot breakfast sausage, enjoy!
Ann says
What would be your suggestion for replacing the sausage to make it vegetarian? I don’t want to use “fake meat” because of the chemicals.
Thanks,
Ani
Jen says
You can swap out the meat for your favorite vegetables but keep the proportions the same so there is enough egg mixture to envelop the filling. Enjoy!
Liz Guardino says
I made this for a Christmas brunch. I used one big green pepper and 3 small red peppers. I doubled the recipe and it turned out beautifully! I haven’t used this combination of spices together before in the egg mixture before and it was so savory and delicious! The family (even younger kids) raved about it. Most went back for seconds! This is a keeper and it will be a go to breakfast casserole for us. Thank you!!
Jen says
I’m so pleased to hear that it turned out so well!! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Carrie says
We made this for our Christmas morning breakfast. We have a breakfast casserole every Christmas. We unanimously decided this is our favorite.
Jen says
LOVE that! Thanks so much Carrie, Merry Christmas!
L says
This turned out perfectly! I prepped the night before as per your instructions, which made the morning stress free. Delicious & easy! Thank you, Jen!
Jen says
You’re so welcome, I’m so pleased it was a hit!
Amanda says
I made this for the teachers at my son’s school last week, and it looked so good I made it for my family for Mother’s Day! Even my picky kids liked it and asked for seconds. ❤️
Jen says
Thank you so much, Amanda, I’m sure the teachers appreciate you! I am so happy your family enjoyed this recipe and I hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Gail says
Hi! Jsyk, the sub for 1/2 & 1/2 is actually 3/4 milk and 1/4 heavy cream. That’s because 1/2 & 1/2 is made with light cream which has less fat.
Gonna make this soon.
Jen says
Thanks for the tip, Gail! I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Angela says
Hi, I want to swap out the bell peppers for mushrooms, would I need to use 1 pound of mushrooms or 8oz? Using mushrooms would it be the same cooking time as it would be using bell peppers or need to cook mushrooms first?
Jen says
Hi Angela, I would use 1 pound mushrooms. I would sauté the mushrooms first. Enjoy!
Kara says
This was amazing- the best breakfast casserole I’ve ever had!
Jen says
Thank you Kara! I’m so pleased you enjoyed it!
Brenda says
Delicious! My husband and I made this per your instructions, and we won’t change a thing. We consider ourselves to be a bit snobbish about food, and your recipes never disappoint.
Jen says
I’m so thrilled that you both loved it! Thank you so much for trying so many recipes, I appreciate you!
Cyd says
Absolute delicious casserole! Best overnight egg casserole I’ve ever made, and now I will stick to this base, but change up fillings…broccoli, ham, cauliflower etc.
I halved the recipe for a 9 x 9” dish. Left sausage as one pound, used 5 eggs. Made it milder with mild sausage, omitted garlic and chillies. Used orange pepper, not green.
We ate it for breakfast and had leftovers the next night for supper.
Thank you or this wonderful recipe!
Jen says
Yum! I am so glad that you loved it and can make it your own!
Mackenzie says
Can this be frozen before eating?
Jen says
I Mackenzie, I haven’t tried freezing it, but I’m afraid it would alter the texture to much. Let me know if you try it!
Pam says
Can you do this in a slow cooker?
Jen says
Hi Pam! Sorry for the delayed response! I’ve been extra busy! I have not tried it with this recipe but you should be able to cook this in a slow cooker and add the cheese to the top for the last bit of cooking. Let me know how it turns out! 🙂
Molly says
Hello from North Carolina. Made this this week at my sisters. It was a huge hit! This is delicious and I have added to my own recipe cookbook I am making.
Jen says
Hi Molly! I am so glad this recipe was a keeper!