Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is the perfect make-ahead breakfast with bacon, eggs and cheddar cheese. It’s great for a crowd!

There’s nothing better than a big family breakfast over the holidays (or anytime!). I’m a big fan of breakfast casseroles because they’re easy to make, super satisfying and perfect for feeding a crowd. This tater tot version is one I keep coming back to!

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Simple & satisfying: Made with everyday ingredients like eggs, tater tots, bacon, and cheddar, this hearty breakfast casserole is easy to make and keeps you full.
• Crowd pleaser: Perfect for holiday breakfasts, weekend brunch gatherings or feeding the whole family, this tater tot breakfast casserole is always a hit!
• Easy meal prep: Bake it once and enjoy a hearty, protein-packed breakfast throughout the week. It’s perfect for busy mornings!

Ingredients and substitutions

• Cooking spray – you could also grease the pan with butter.
• Eggs – use fresh eggs or eggs from a carton. You can try using egg whites, but you’ll need to use 24 egg whites or 1.5 cups of egg whites.
• Salt & pepper – to taste.
• Red & green pepper – use any colour bell pepper of your choice or substitute for another vegetable entirely like spinach, broccoli or mushrooms.
• Tater tots – hash browns would also work in this breakfast casserole.
• Cheddar cheese – use another cheese of your choice like mozzarella, Swiss or Monterey Jack.
• Turkey bacon – regular bacon or cut-up breakfast sausage would also work. Leave the meat out altogether for a vegetarian option.
• Green onions – diced red onions would be a good substitute here.

How to make tater tot breakfast casserole

Step 1: Whisk the eggs.

Mix together the eggs, salt and pepper in a large bowl.

Step 2: Add the peppers.

Grease a baking dish with cooking spray, then add the diced bell peppers.

Step 3: Add the egg mixture

Pour the egg mixture over top of the bell peppers.

Step 4: Add the tater tots

Place the frozen tater tots in one single layer.

Step 5: Cook the casserole

Bake the casserole for 45 mins, adding the cheese over top in the last 15 mins of cooking time. While it bakes, fry the bacon then chop into pieces.

Step 6: Add toppings and serve!

Add the chopped cooked bacon and sliced green onions, then serve and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions

Why is my tater tot casserole soggy?

If your tater tot casserole is soggy, you likely didn’t cook it for long enough. Make sure you’re cooking it for 45 minutes at 375°F. You also need to make sure you’re adding the tater tots right from frozen, if you let them defrost first, they’ll get soggy.

Can you make it ahead of time?

If you’re making this breakfast casserole for a holiday or brunch, you can prep the egg mixture and diced bell peppers the night before, then store the baking dish in the fridge covered in plastic wrap. When you’re ready to cook the casserole, add the tater tots on top then bake as normal.

Would egg whites work instead of whole eggs?

I personally haven’t tested this recipe using egg whites, but you can give it a try. You’ll need to use 2 egg whites for every whole egg, so 24 egg whites or 1.5 cups of egg whites from a carton.

What can you use instead of tater tots?

Tater tots are part of what makes this casserole shine, but if you don’t have any on hand, you can swap them out for frozen hash browns. If you’re using frozen hash brown patties, I’d recommend cutting them up into pieces so they cook properly.

What to serve with this tater tot casserole

This tater tot breakfast casserole can be served on its own or with some of your other favourite breakfast dishes for a full spread! Here are some ideas:

• Yogurt parfaits or Greek yogurt with homemade granola
• Fresh cut-up fruit like berries, melon, apples and bananas
• A healthy smoothie
• Baked oatmeal or oatmeal cups

Storing and reheating

Make ahead: Make this ahead of time and reheat when serving. If you want to prep the night before and cook fresh, I recommend prepping the peppers and eggs in the baking dish and store covered in the fridge, then in the morning add the tater tots and bake.

Storing: Store leftovers or meal prep portions in airtight containers or the full baking dish covered in plastic wrap for up to 5 days in the fridge.

Reheating: Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, or reheat the entire thing in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes at 375° Fahrenheit.

Freezing: Once the casserole has completely cooled, freeze portions in glass containers for up to 3 months.

Defrosting and reheating: Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave or oven.