Loaded Tater Tot Casserole

Grilling season is here and popular grill fare often includes burgers and hot dogs. With that, the usual sides we pair them up with are chips, salads and/or french fries. But for a different spin, we've grown fond of tater tots. They're not just for kids and with this Loaded Tater Tot Casserole, everyone's sure to love this! Crispy bites of potato are baked with a golden blanket of cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, tender chicken and topped with creamy sour cream, fresh tomato, red onions, parsley and green onions. Look out french fries and chips, make way for the tater tot comeback...

I have fallen back in love with tater tots after seeing them on restaurant menus more often lately. When I came across a delicious article on Buzzfeed, I was inspired to whip up some tater tots with my favorite baked potato toppings. This is pretty cut and dry, but you can top your tater tots with your favorite ingredients. I stuck with the common faves such as bacon, cheese, sour cream,tomatoes, green onions, red onions and parsley. I also threw in some chopped cooked chicken for good measure...

Loaded Tater Tot Casserole
recipe inspired by Buzzfeed

2 lb. bag (32 oz.) frozen tater tots
1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
1 cup leftover chicken, chopped
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup red onion, diced
1/2 cup tomato; diced
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup fresh parsley, minced, for serving (optional)
Thinly-sliced green onions, for serving (optional)


Preheat oven to 450°F.

Arrange the tater tots in the bottom of a 9x13-in. baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes.

Remove from oven; sprinkle half the cheese on top along with chicken and bacon. Return to oven and bake for 5 additional minutes. 

Remove from oven and top with remaining cheese, top with sour cream, tomatoes, and red onions, Garnish with parsley and green onions.