Make-Ahead Cheesy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Easy & Cheesy Tater Tot Breakfast Bake with Sausage and Bacon

If you love make-ahead breakfasts, this Tater Tot Breakfast Bake Recipe is just what you need. It’s easy, fast, and freezer-friendly, ideal for prepping a day or two in advance. But if you don’t have time to make it ahead, it’s still delicious, prepped and baked on the same day. This breakfast casserole is loaded with potatoes, sausage, bacon, and eggs to satisfy everyone at the table!

Ingredients and Supplies for Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients

• Ground breakfast sausage 
• Shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• Whole milk
• Large eggs
• Pepper
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Frozen tater tots
• Green onions, sliced
• Bacon slices, cooked crisp and crumbled

Recipe additions and alteration ideas:

• Add diced ham: Substitute the breakfast sausage with diced ham for a different flavor.
• Add veggies: Add more nutrition and flavor by including veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini. Make sure to sauté any high-moisture vegetables beforehand to avoid excess liquid.
• Use different types of cheese: While sharp cheddar works great, you can also use mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack cheese for a bit of spice.

Supplies

1. Skillet
2. Mixing bowl
3. 9×13-inch baking dish
4. Whisk
5. Air fryer (optional)
6. Air Fryer Cake Barrel Dish or 8×8-inch pan (optional)

How to Make the Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole  

Preparing this Tater Tot Breakfast Bake is super easy. And you’ll be glad you’re not stuck in the kitchen cooking on Christmas morning or during a family-filled Sunday. Making this meal ahead of time will give you the freedom to spend your mornings with the people you love!

Step 1: Brown the Sausage

Brown the breakfast sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain any excess grease and layer the sausage in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 2: Add Cheese and Egg Mixture

Sprinkle 2 cups of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the sausage layer. In a large bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, pepper, onion powder, and salt until well combined. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the sausage and cheese.

Step 3: Add Tater Tots

Layer the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top of the casserole. The tots provide a crispy, golden topping with a hash brown-like texture.

Step 4: Refrigerate or Bake

If you’re not baking the casserole immediately, cover it tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight. You’ll love to prepare this casserole in advance for busy holiday mornings.

When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole uncovered for about 35 minutes. Then, top with the remaining ½ cup of cheese and crumbled bacon, and bake for another 5-10 minutes until bubbling and golden brown.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Garnish the casserole with sliced green onions, let it rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes, then serve and enjoy!

Air Fryer Instructions

If you want to make this tater tot casserole in the air fryer, you can easily adapt the recipe:

1. Cut the Recipe in Half: Since the air fryer is smaller, you’ll need to use an 8×8-inch pan or air fryer cake barrel dish. Half the ingredients so everything will fit into a smaller pan, or cook in two batches.
2. Bake: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the assembled casserole in the air fryer and cook for about 20-25 minutes. Add the remaining cheese and crumbled bacon, and air fry for an additional 5-7 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Freezing Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

If you want to freeze this casserole, assemble it in a freezer-safe dish, cover it tightly with foil, and freeze it for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to cook it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then bake according to the recipe instructions. Freezing helps save time, especially when preparing for large gatherings or planning for busy weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make tater tot casserole ahead of time?

Yes! This tater tot casserole is ideal for making ahead. You can prepare the entire dish, cover it with foil, and refrigerate it overnight or up to 24 hours before baking. A perfect way to spend less time in the kitchen on busy holidays or eventful mornings.

How do you reheat a breakfast tater tot casserole?

To reheat the casserole, cover it with aluminum foil and place it in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) oven for about 15-20 minutes or until heated through. For a quicker option, you can also microwave individual portions.

Why is my tater tot casserole soggy?

A soggy Tater Tot Casserole may result from too much liquid or from not baking long enough. Make sure to use the correct ratio of eggs to milk and bake until the tater tots are crispy and the casserole is golden and bubbling. Also, ensure you are not overcrowding the casserole with toppings, which can cause excess moisture.

Final Thoughts

Crispy golden tater tots, melty cheese, and a mix of sausage and bacon in every bite make this Cheesy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole a must-have! Perfect for breakfast, holiday mornings, brunch, or even dinner, it’s a great make-ahead freezer meal that everyone will love. Plus, with the added variation options, you can make it your own.

More Breakfast Recipes:

• Air Fryer Avocado Toast
• Ham and Cheese Breakfast Egg Roll
• Low Carb Blueberry Muffins Recipe
• 5-Minute French Toast in a Mug Recipe
• Green Monster Smoothie Recipe

More Make Ahead Freezer Meals:

• Quick and Easy Chicken Parmesan Freezer Meal
• Make-Ahead Freezer Meatballs Recipe
• Crockpot Beef and Mushroom Freezer Meal
• Freezer Chicken Enchilada Recipe

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Make-Ahead Cheesy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe

An easy, cheesy Tater Tot Breakfast Bake that's perfect for make-ahead breakfasts, holiday mornings, or anytime you need a hearty meal!

4.47 / 5 ( 60 Reviews )

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Serves: 8

Adjust Servings: 8

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• Large skillet
• 9x13-inch pan
• Large bowl

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground breakfast sausage
• 2 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
• 2 cups whole milk
• 3 large eggs
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 2 pounds frozen tater tots
• 3-4 green onions sliced
• 4 slices bacon cooked crisp and crumbled

Instructions

• In a large skillet, brown the sausage on medium high heat, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain and layer into a 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle 2 cups of the cheese evenly over sausage.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, pepper, onion powder, and salt until combined. Pour evenly over the cheese and sausage in baking dish. Layer frozen tater tots over the top.
• If not baking right away, cover tightly with foil and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F/175°C. Bake, uncovered for about 35 minutes. Then top with additional ½ cup cheese, crumbled bacon, and bake another 5-10 minutes, or until bubbling and golden brown.
• Garnish with green onion, let rest at room temp 10 minutes, then serve.

For the Air Fryer:

• Cut the Recipe in Half: Use an 8x8-inch pan or air fryer cake barrel dish. Half the ingredients so everything will fit into a smaller pan, or cook in two batches.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the assembled casserole in the air fryer and cook for about 20-25 minutes.
• Add the remaining cheese and crumbled bacon, and air fry for an additional 5-7 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Nutrition

Calories: 624kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 44g | Sodium: 1225mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g