You will LOVE this recipe for the easiest and cheesiest tater tot casserole (with no cream of mushroom soup). This hearty, savory dish is always a crowd-pleaser!

Easy, Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Is My Personal Creation.

One of my favorite appetizers, French Onion Cheese Fondue, inspired this tater tot casserole recipe. This crazy yummy, cheesy dish was born when I baked my favorite potato puffs in a sauce similar to my cheese fondue. The end result was SO delicious! I think it tastes more sophisticated than traditional tater tot casseroles that contain mushroom or chicken soup. My version is cheesy, savory, and crowd-pleasing every time!

What Is The “Secret Sauce” In Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole?

While many tater tot casserole recipes call for cream of mushroom soup, the base of this cheesy sauce may surprise you! Canned cheddar cheese soup and French onion dip are the secret ingredients in this dish! By mixing these two ingredients, the result is a cheese-fondue-like sauce. As a result, this tasty recipe boasts a more flavorful, sophisticated flavor.  

What Are The Best Tater Tots?

Ore Ida has the trademark on tater tots, and these tots will work great in this recipe. Of all their tater tots, my favorites are the tiny tots and the extra crunchy tots. While I love Ore Ida, my personal favorite version is the Alexia brand of potato puffs. Alexia’s potato puffs are more sophisticated and flavorful than plain tater tots and have a fantastic flavor and a light, crisp texture. Whichever brand you choose, you’ll use a whole bag and part of another to get two pounds. Leftover tots can be put in the freezer for later use.

Can A Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Be Made Ahead?

This cheesy tater tot casserole can be made ahead as long as you do not let the tater tots thaw. To begin, simply mix the sauce ingredients, fold in the tater tots, and combine well. I like to use latex gloves to combine the tots and the sauce- it makes this so much easier! After everything is well-mixed, place the mixture in a baking dish (but do not bake). Next, lay cling wrap on the top of the ingredients, then wrap the dish in heavy-duty aluminum foil. Finally, place the entire dish in an X-large freezer bag (if you have one).  When you are ready to serve it, simply remove the casserole from the freezer and allow it to sit at room temp for half an hour, then bake as directed.

Watch Me Make This Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole:

In the short video below, you can see how easy it is to put this cheesy tot casserole together.

If you enjoyed this Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole, you will love the dip that inspired it, my Cheddar Cheese Fondue! Additionally, be sure to check out more of my potato recipes, like my Sensational Smashed Potatoes or my Easy Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins. 

If you try this dish, I’d love to hear your thoughts! As always, thanks so much for stopping by. Be Blessed, and stay savvy!!!

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Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole

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Ingredients

• 2 lbs frozen potato tots/puffs *
• 1 cup sour cream (reduced fat is fine)
• 1 cup French onion dip (I use Dean's)
• 2 cups extra sharp cheddar, shredded
• 1 can cheddar cheese soup
• 1-2 Tablespoons ranch dressing seasoning

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray.
3. In a large bowl, combine sour cream, onion dip, cheddar cheese soup, ranch seasoning; stir well.
4. Fold in potato puffs.
5. Spread in even layer in pan.
6. Bake 40-45 minutes or until bubbly and golden.

Notes

Do not thaw potato puffs before baking or using in this dish.

Nutrition Information

Yield 15 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 285Total Fat 20gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 41mgSodium 635mgCarbohydrates 21gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 7g