Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Tater tot breakfast casserole is the easiest way to feed your family for breakfast. The tot go into the oven frozen so there’s no need to cook them first.

Use frozen tater tots in a breakfast casserole.

I’ve made this breakfast casserole for holiday mornings, but it’s also one I can hand to a new mom who needs minimum prep, or the newlyweds who need a foolproof recipe.

Layer browned sausage, crispy bacon and sharp cheddar in a 9×13″ pan, then top with frozen tater tots and a seasoned egg and sour cream custard. It bakes up gold brown with a crispy top over fluffy, savory eggs. Assemble it in the morning or the night before.

Do you cook tater tots before putting them in a casserole?

No. Tater tots go in frozen straight from the bag. They thaw and cook as the casserole bakes. If you cook them first, they may break down making the casserole mushy.

It’s important to arrange them in a single layer of the top of the meat. If they pile up on top of each other, they will steam instead of get crispy.

Use this method for my traditional tater tot casserole, chicken tater tot casserole and cheeseburger tater tot casserole, too.

What you need to make tater tot breakfast casserole.

Here’s the short version. See the recipe card below for full amounts.

The sausage and bacon combo is what makes this recipe stand out from the rest. Also, the sour cream in the egg mixture adds richness and smoothness to the egg filling.

How to Make Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Preheat the oven to 350ºF and spray a 9×13″ baking dish with cooking spray to prep.

1. Brown the sausage with the diced onion over medium heat until the sausage is no longer pink and the onion is soft and translucent. Drain the grease well (so it doesn’t make the casserole greasy).

2. Layer: spread the sausage across the dish, scatter the crumbled bacon over top, then sprinkle on 1½ cups of the cheddar (save ½ cup for later).
3. Add the frozen tots in a single even layer over the cheese and meat.

3. Whisk the eggs, milk, and sour creaam until smooth, then whisk in the garlic powder, ground mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour it over the tater tots. It will sink in and settle around the tots. Cover with foil and bake 40 minutes.
5. Uncover, top with the reserved ½ cup cheddar, and bake 15–20 more minutes, until the eggs are fully set (internal temperature should be 165ºF), the cheese is bubbly, and the potato tops are golden brown.

Can you make tater tot breakfast casserole ahead of time?

Yes. This is the perfect make ahead breakfast recipe and there are two ways you can do it:

1. Overnight. Assemble the casserole completely, then cover and place in the fridge before baking. The next morning, let the casserole sit at room temperature while the oven is preheating. Then bake, adding about 10 extra minutes since the casserole will be cold. The tater tots might be slightly softer with this method since they sit in the egg mixture overnight.
2. Reheat fully baked casserole. Bake the casserole completely, let it cool and cover. Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat individual pieces in the microwave (perfect for meal prepping!). Or, cover the pan with foil and warm in a 325ªF oven until heated through.

The breakfast casserole also freezes well for up to 2 months.

Why is my tater tot casserole soggy in the middle?

There can be 3 reasons why: undrained sausage & bacon grease, the tots are piled on too thick and not in a single layer, or the eggs are not fully set.

Drain the meat well, place the tots in a single layer, and bake until the center of the casserole has no jiggle (165ºF).

Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Easy Variations

This recipe is a sold starting point, but there are unique ways you can make it your own:

• Skip the sausage and bacon and add veggies. Sautéed peppers, mushrooms and fresh spinach are all excellent choices.
• Swap the protein. Try leftover baked ham or use chorizo for a spicier version.
• Add a few dashes of hot sauce into the egg mixture. This is Matt’s choice, every time!

What to serve with tater tot breakfast casserole.

This is a full meal on its own, but it also makes a great brunch spread centerpiece. Serve with a big bowl of fresh fruit and something sweet:

• A quick bread like cherry bread or lemon blueberry bread.
• Huge cinnamon rolls or cinnamon roll casserole.
• Sugared walnut fruit salad for something fancy, but still easy.
• Bakery style chocolate chip muffins. The kids’ choice!