18 Delicious Tater Tot Recipe Ideas

Tater tots are crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle, and easy to prepare. It’s no wonder they’re a staple in so many homes! But what many don’t realize is just how versatile they are. Sure, you can make dozens of delicious casseroles with them, but you don’t have to stop there!

These 18 tater tot recipe ideas will inspire you to make all kinds of comforting meals—from traditional casseroles to more unique, out-there dishes!

11 decadent tater tot casserole ideas

Who doesn’t love a good casserole? These recipes are decadent, packed with flavor, and quick to make:

1. Tater tot spicy morning casserole

Start the morning off right with this tater tot morning casserole! Loaded with spicy sausage, red bell peppers, Colby-Jack cheese, and topped with hot sauce, it’s a full breakfast.

2. Bacon, cheddar, tater tot casserole

If you’re craving bacon for breakfast, this cheesy tater tot casserole is for you. You can make it the night before, leave it overnight in the fridge, and bake it in the morning for a quick pick-me-up!

3. Broccoli, egg, and cheese casserole

Why not add veggies to your morning breakfast? The classic broccoli, egg, and cheese casserole is already delicious but even better when adding tater tots to the mix!

4. Vegetarian breakfast tater tot casserole

Line a baking dish with tater tots and cover with vegetarian sausages and a generous helping of mozzarella cheese. This breakfast casserole is so flavorful and decadent you wouldn’t even know it’s vegetarian!

5. Caprese tater tot casserole

Tater tots and summer flavors go along perfectly! This zucchini Caprese tater tot casserole is proof of that. The fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes, rich balsamic vinegar, and filling tater tots are a winning combination.

6. Chiles Rellenos tater tot casserole

This Mexican-American Chiles Rellenos tater tot casserole is a bit out there—but definitely worth a shot! You might not think that stuffed poblano peppers, egg batter, and tater tots go well together, but they do. Serve for breakfast or as a side to your lunch or supper.

7. Tater tot and creamed corn casserole

The sweetness from the fresh (or frozen) corn is complemented by the saltiness of the cream cheese and tater tots. Adding these potato nuggets to this traditional holiday casserole staple takes it to the next level!

8. Creamed spinach and tater tot casserole

Another creamy recipe to try, this spinach and tater tot casserole, makes eating your veg easy! Add the pillowy potato nuggets to the bottom of the baking tray or serve them on the side for maximum crunch.

9. Portobello mushroom and tater tot casserole

Swap out the penne for tater tots to make this deliciously cheesy portobello mushroom casserole! The mushrooms bring a hint of earthiness to the dish, making it unique and unforgettable!

10. Italian-inspired tater tot casserole

Once again, replace the pasta (or combine) with tater tots to bake an Italian-inspired starchy casserole! Feel free to style and improvise this recipe with your favorite Italian ingredients.

11. Tater tot green bean casserole

Green bean casseroles are well-loved throughout the Midwest. Why not switch things up by adding tater tots? The combo of creamy mushroom soup, nutrition-packed green beans, and crunchy tater tots could become your next Thanksgiving staple!

7 unique tater tot recipe ideas

Tater tots aren’t just excellent bases for casseroles! These out-of-the-box recipes challenge what you may think these soft potato nuggets are capable of:

1. Tater tot, egg, and avocado morning hash

Forget making your own potato hash for breakfast. Instead, whip up this quick-and-easy tater tot, egg, and avocado hash. Bake the tater tots until they’re golden and sauté with the peppers!

2. Tater tot grilled cheese

Swap the bread for tater tots to make a deliciously decadent grilled cheese! Use your favorite cheese, and don’t be afraid to mix different types. That’s what cooking is all about!

3. Gochujang tater tots

Bake tater tots until they’re golden and coat them in gochujang, a Korean hot pepper paste. Then, top your tots with chopped-up kimchi! Can you handle the heat?

4. BLT tater tot salad

Hack this much-beloved bacon-lettuce-tomato salad by swapping out the potatoes for tater tots. It’s filling, satisfying, and a great dish for any picnic or potluck!

5. Tater tot chicken and waffles

Press baked tater tots on a waffle iron and serve with fried chicken on top. Maple syrup is not optional!

6. Roasted chicken with tater tots and prunes

If you’re looking for tater tot dinner ideas that look polished and complicated but are actually easy to make, look no further! This roasted chicken and prunes recipe can be made even more delicious when you make golden, crispy tater tots the base.

7. Beef and tater tot chipotle salad

Replace the boiled potatoes with crunchy tater tots to make this delicious beef chipotle salad. It’s zesty, bright, mildly spicy, and light! Serve as a side or as a taco filling.

Give tater tots another chance to shine

Inspired? Tater tots are versatile and can be made the star of dozens of dishes—this list barely scratches the surface. Now is an excellent time to get creative!

If you’re missing a few ingredients to make one of these dishes (or one of your unique creations), you can order them with Instacart. Thanks to Instacart’s same-day delivery, your groceries could be at your doorstep in under 2 hours! All it takes is a few clicks, no grocery trip required.

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