totally customizable tater tot casserole

Name: Totally Customizable Tater Tot Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: BASE - CHOOSE ONE; 12 ounce(s) Spam or ham, diced; 1 1/2 cup(s) chopped onions and mushrooms; 12 ounce(s) ground breakfast sausage; REMAINING INGREDIENTS; 8 large eggs; 1/2 cup(s) milk; 1 teaspoon(s) salt; 1/4 teaspoon(s) black pepper; 1 teaspoon(s) garlic powder; 2 cup(s) shredded cheddar cheese (8 ounces); 1 bag(s) frozen tater tots (32 oz); optional: additional shredded cheese; optional: chopped green onions or chives

(1 rating)

Totally Customizable Tater Tot Casserole ready to serve.

review

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

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(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

1
Preheat oven to 350 F.

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.
3
Spread meat or vegetables evenly across bottom of skillet.
4
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt (omit salt if using ham or SPAM), black pepper, and garlic powder.
5
Sprinkle the shredded cheese in an even layer on top of the meat or vegetables. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the cheese.
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.
7
Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes or until eggs have set.
8
If desired, sprinkle with additional shredded cheese. Return to oven until the cheese melts; about 1 to 2 minutes.
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.
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