Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is a hearty, all-in-one meal that is perfect for feeding a hungry crowd on weekend mornings or holiday brunches. It combines crispy potatoes, savory beef ham, and plenty of cheese into one satisfying dish that everyone will enjoy.

You will love how the golden, crunchy tater tots pair with the fluffy, creamy egg filling for the ultimate comfort food breakfast.

Recipe Details

• Flavor Profile: This dish is savory and comforting, featuring the rich taste of beef ham and melted cheese, balanced by a creamy, seasoned egg custard.
• Texture: You get a wonderful contrast between the crispy tops of the tater tots and the soft, fluffy egg mixture underneath, all bound together by gooey cheese.
• Time: It takes about 10 minutes to assemble and 50 minutes total in the oven.
• Difficulty: Easy. This is a fuss-free recipe where you simply mix the ingredients in the dish and pour the eggs over top.

What You’ll Need

To make this casserole, you will need a 9×13-inch baking dish and a large mixing bowl. The base consists of frozen tater tots and diced beef ham, while the binding liquid is a rich mixture of eggs, milk, and sour cream seasoned with pantry staples.

Ingredient Notes

• Frozen Tater Tots – You will need a standard 30-32 ounce bag. Keep them frozen until you are ready to assemble; there is no need to thaw them beforehand.
• Piast Beef Ham – This savory meat adds protein and flavor to every bite. Since it is already cooked, just dice it up and toss it in.
• Sour Cream – Adding sour cream to the egg mixture ensures the eggs stay moist and creamy rather than drying out during the long bake time.
• Cheeses – A blend of sharp cheddar and mild mozzarella or Monterey Jack gives the best flavor and melt.
• Eggs – Large eggs are the binder that holds the casserole together.
• Hot Sauce – This is optional, but a splash adds a nice depth of flavor without necessarily making the dish spicy.

Add-ins and Substitutions

• Vegetables: You can add diced bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms to the mix for extra color and nutrition.
• Spices: Feel free to adjust the seasonings by adding a pinch of paprika or dried chives to the egg mixture.
• Cheese Variety: Pepper Jack cheese is a great substitute if you want a little kick in place of the Monterey Jack.

How to Make Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

1. Prep the oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Combine the base: Place the frozen tater tots, diced Piast Beef ham, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, and 1 cup of the mozzarella (or Monterey Jack) cheese directly into the prepared baking dish. Toss everything with your hands to distribute the ingredients evenly.
3. Make the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sour cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and hot sauce (if using) until the mixture is smooth and combined.
4. Pour and coat: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the tater tot and meat mixture in the pan.
5. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes. The top should be golden brown and the eggs set.
6. Melt the topping: Remove the casserole from the oven and top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Return the dish to the oven for 5 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Pro Tip: Make sure to scatter the beef ham and cheese evenly throughout the tater tots before pouring the eggs. This ensures that every scoop has a perfect balance of meat, potato, and cheese.

Recipe Tips

• Don’t thaw the tots: It is important to use the tater tots frozen. If you thaw them first, they may break apart and become mushy during the mixing process.
• Whisk thoroughly: Ensure the sour cream is fully whisked into the eggs so you don’t end up with white pockets of cream in the finished dish.
• Check the center: Every oven is different. To ensure the eggs are fully cooked, give the pan a slight jiggle; the center should be set, not liquidy.

FAQs

• Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, you can assemble the casserole the night before. Cover it tightly and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time since the dish will be cold from the fridge.
• Can I freeze this casserole? Yes, this freezes well. Bake it completely, let it cool, and then cover tightly with foil to freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Is the hot sauce spicy? The small amount of hot sauce adds savory depth rather than heat. However, you can omit it entirely if you prefer.

Serving Suggestions

• Fresh Fruit: A side of fresh melon, berries, or a fruit salad cuts through the richness of the cheese and eggs.
• Beverages: Serve with hot coffee or orange juice for a complete breakfast experience.
• Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives on top after baking for a pop of color.

Make This Recipe in Advance

You can prepare the entire dish up to the point of baking, cover it with plastic wrap or foil, and keep it in the refrigerator overnight. When you are ready to eat, simply preheat the oven and bake as directed. This makes it an excellent choice for Christmas morning or busy weekends.

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

---

• Author: Samantha Brooks
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is a hearty, all-in-one meal that is perfect for feeding a hungry crowd on weekend mornings or holiday brunches. It combines crispy potatoes, savory Piast Beef Ham, and plenty of cheese into one satisfying dish that everyone will enjoy. You will love how the golden, crunchy tater tots pair with the fluffy, creamy egg filling for the ultimate comfort food breakfast.

See also  Creamy Garlic and Tomato Chicken Pasta

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (30-32 ounce) bag frozen tater tots
• 16 ounces Piast Beef Ham, diced
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese, divided
• 8 large eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1–2 teaspoons hot sauce (optional)

---

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Generously spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Combine the Base
Place the frozen tater tots, diced Piast Beef Ham, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, and 1 cup of the mozzarella (or Monterey Jack) cheese directly into the prepared baking dish. Use your hands to toss everything gently so the ingredients are distributed evenly throughout the dish.

Step 3: Make the Custard
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sour cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and hot sauce (if using) until the mixture is completely smooth and combined.

Step 4: Pour and Coat
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the tater tot and meat mixture in the pan. Ensure the liquid settles into the gaps between the tots.

Step 5: Bake
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes. At this point, the top should be golden brown and the eggs should be set.

Step 6: Melt the Topping
Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the top. Return the dish to the oven for 5 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Notes

Make Ahead: You can assemble this casserole the night before! Just cover the unbaked dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight. In the morning, uncover it and bake as directed (you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the cook time since it is starting cold).

Veggie Add-ins: To add some color and nutrition, try mixing in diced bell peppers, sautéed onions, or mushrooms with the tater tot base before pouring in the eggs.

Freezing: This casserole freezes well. Bake it completely, let it cool, and then cover it tightly with foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 1025mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 19g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 165mg

Keywords: tater tot breakfast casserole, make ahead breakfast bake, cheesy potato casserole, holiday brunch recipe, beef ham breakfast