Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

If you love hearty breakfasts that bring everyone to the table, you re going to adore this Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole Recipe. It has all the cozy, comforting vibes of a classic casserole-with crispy tater tots, savory sausage, and melty cheese layered with fluffy eggs. I first made this recipe on a chilly weekend morning when I wanted something warm, filling, and easy to prep ahead, and it quickly became a household favorite.

This Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole Recipe is perfect for lazy weekend brunches, holiday mornings, or anytime you want a meal that feeds a crowd but feels indulgently special. What I love most is how simple it is to customize, and how you can throw it together with mostly pantry and freezer staples. Plus, the tater tots on top get gloriously golden and crunchy-trust me, you won t want to skip that part!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together with delicious ease, balancing savory sausage, cheesy goodness, and that iconic tater tot crunch. Pro tip: Buying a bag of frozen tots and good-quality sausage will set you up for success with minimal fuss!

• Bacon: Cook it crispy, then crumble so you get little bursts of smoky flavor throughout.
• Frozen Tater Tots: These are the star texture-go for classic or seasoned flavor if you want a slight twist.
• Breakfast Sausage: I like a bulk pork sausage with herbs, but spicy or sweet works too.
• Yellow Onion: Adds sweetness and depth after sautéing.
• Green Bell Pepper: Gives a fresh pop of color and mild sweetness.
• Eggs: They bind everything together with creaminess and protein.
• Milk (or Half and Half / Heavy Cream): Helps keep the casserole rich and fluffy.
• Seasonings: A simple all-purpose blend, black pepper, and optional Cajun seasoning add flavor layers.
• Shredded Cheese: I recommend a mix of sharp cheddar and pepper jack for melty, flavorful cheese pulls.

Variations

I love mixing things up with this casserole! It s so flexible that you can toss in your favorite ingredients or adjust it to what s in your fridge. No matter what, it s always a hit-so don t hesitate to make it your own.

• Spicy Kick: Adding diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce gives it an energizing punch that wakes up your taste buds.
• Veggie Boost: Swap bell peppers for spinach, mushrooms, or diced tomatoes for extra color and nutrients.
• Meat Swap: Try ham, chorizo, or turkey sausage for a different flavor profile without losing heartiness.
• Vegetarian Version: Skip the meat, and instead use plant-based sausage or simply add more veggies sautéed with garlic to keep it savory.

How to Make Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Crisp the Tots

Start by heating your oven to 400°F and popping the frozen tater tots right in on a baking sheet. Getting them warming up early means they ll crisp beautifully by the time the casserole is ready to bake. I like to give them about 10-15 minutes ahead, so they start to get that golden crunch instead of soggy.

Step 2: Cook Sausage with Onion and Pepper

While the tots warm, brown the breakfast sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Toss in diced onion and green pepper and cook everything until it s nicely browned and fragrant. Drain excess grease so the casserole doesn t get too oily. Letting this mixture cool a bit before mixing with eggs helps prevent scrambling when baked.

Step 3: Whisk Eggs and Seasonings

In a large bowl, whisk together your eggs, milk (or cream for richness), and seasonings-this is where the flavors start to mingle. I love adding a pinch of Cajun seasoning if I m feeling bold, but plain black pepper and all-purpose blend work just fine too.

Step 4: Combine Everything in Your Baking Dish

Grease a casserole dish well, then layer in the sausage mixture, half your cooked bacon, whisked eggs, and half the cheese. Give it a good mix so everything s evenly distributed, then top with 1½ cups of cheese. Next, scatter the partially crisped tater tots evenly over the top, then sprinkle the remaining bacon and cheese for that irresistible finish.

Step 5: Bake Covered and Then Uncovered

Cover your casserole with foil and bake for 30 minutes so the eggs set without the tots drying out. Then, uncover and bake for another 15-20 minutes to brown the tots and melt the cheese perfectly. When it s done, let it rest for about 10 minutes so it firms up a little-this helps with cleaner slices and easier serving.

How to Serve Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Garnishes

I often top my slices with a little extra shredded cheese and some chopped fresh chives or green onions-they add a lovely pop of color and fresh oniony flavor that balances the richness perfectly. A dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of hot sauce also works wonders if you like a creamy or spicy lift.

Side Dishes

For sides, nothing beats a fresh fruit salad or some roasted veggies to lighten things up. Lately, I ve been pairing this casserole with simple sautéed spinach or a crisp arugula salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette-it s a nice contrast to the hearty casserole.

Creative Ways to Present

For brunch parties, I like to serve the casserole in smaller ramekins or individual portions-guests love having their own cozy dish, and it feels a bit more special. Sometimes, I arrange fresh herbs around the edges of the dish and place small bowls of toppings on the side for a fun build-your-own breakfast bar vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover casserole in airtight containers in the fridge, and it typically lasts about 4 days. When reheating, I cover it with foil in the oven or microwave it covered to keep moisture in-reheating slowly helps maintain that gooey texture without drying out.

Freezing

Freezing baked casserole works great too! After baking and cooling completely, I wrap it tightly in foil and plastic wrap before freezing. When I m ready to eat, I thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through-this keeps the texture intact much better than microwaving from frozen.

Reheating

The best way I ve found to reheat is in the oven at around 350°F, covered with foil for about 15-20 minutes or until heated through. This gently revives the crispy topping and warms the casserole evenly. If you re in a pinch, the microwave works, but it can make the tots a bit soft.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole Recipe feels like a warm hug on a plate-easy to make, utterly delicious, and loved by everyone I ve shared it with. It s a recipe that s become part of my regular rotation because it s fuss-free but so flavorful, and honestly, who can resist crispy tots mixed with melty cheese and savory sausage? I really hope you try it out and make it your own-it s a total winner that ll brighten up your mornings.

Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 58 reviews

• Author: Lucy
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 servings
• Category: Breakfast Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

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Description

This hearty Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole combines crispy tater tots, savory sausage, bacon, eggs, and melty cheese for a comforting morning meal. Perfect for feeding a crowd, it features a flavorful blend of seasoned eggs, sautéed vegetables, and layers of cheese, baked to golden perfection with a crispy tater tot topping.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Meats

• 1 lb Bacon, cooked and crumbled, divided in half
• 1 lb Breakfast Sausage

Vegetables

• 1 Yellow Onion, diced
• 1 Green Bell Pepper, diced

Dairy & Eggs

• 8 Eggs
• 1/2 cup Whole Milk (half and half or heavy cream can also be used)
• 4 cups Shredded Cheese, divided (half sharp cheddar and half pepper jack)

Frozen

• 28–30 oz Bag of Frozen Tater Tots

Seasonings

• 1 tsp All Purpose Seasoning Blend
• 1 tsp Black Pepper
• 1/2 tsp Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning (optional, can use any Cajun seasoning)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Place the frozen tater tots on a baking sheet or directly in the casserole dish to begin crisping while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
2. Cook Sausage and Vegetables: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage along with the diced yellow onion and green bell pepper until the sausage is browned and the vegetables are softened. Drain excess grease and remove from heat to cool slightly.
3. Mix Eggs and Seasonings: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, all-purpose seasoning blend, black pepper, and Cajun seasoning until well combined.
4. Combine Ingredients: Grease your baking dish thoroughly. Add the cooked sausage and vegetable mixture, half of the crumbled bacon, the egg mixture, and 2 cups of shredded cheese into the dish. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
5. Assemble Casserole: Sprinkle 1½ cups of shredded cheese over the egg mixture. Arrange the pre-baked tater tots evenly on top. Then finish by sprinkling the remaining crumbled bacon and the last ½ cup of cheese over the tater tots.
6. Bake Covered: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
7. Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15–20 minutes, until the eggs are fully set and the tater tots are golden and crispy.
8. Rest and Serve: Let the casserole sit for about 10 minutes outside the oven to set further. Serve hot and enjoy a hearty breakfast!

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Notes

• Make-Ahead: Assemble the casserole without baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, add an extra 5–10 minutes to the baking time.
• Freezer-Friendly: Bake fully and cool completely. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
• Storage: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven prior to serving.
• Variations: Add diced jalapeños or hot sauce for a spicy kick. Substitute vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or diced tomatoes for extra nutrition. Swap meats such as ham, chorizo, or turkey sausage. For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and sausage and replace with plant-based sausage or sautéed vegetables.