Tater tot casserole is well worth the little effort it takes to make it. No matter which state I've lived in it's always been sure to please. Everyone makes it a little different but as long as you stick with the basic recipe you'll be fine.

Well I was half afraid to use the printer friendly version because after the comments above I was afraid the recipe would come out growling at me. Making it for tonights co-worker Christmas. Merry moods to all.

My husband wants to deep fry the tots first, then bake. What do you think?

Yes! Deep fried anything is always better than not-deep-fried. Bake the casserole without tots with whatever ingredients you like. When done, top with deep fried tots. Sprinkle with cheese (your favorite)and return to oven until cheese is melty/gooey. Let stand at room temp for 15 minutes before serving.

Going to give it a try! Saw it on 18 kids & counting. Looks very yummy. And what does it matter what kinda tatter's you use anyway. Seriously! Have had the hashbrown casserole at cracker barrel. The best I ever had, loved it!

I've been making this recipe "by eye" for several years now. It is pretty hard to screw up. I've used Cheddar Cheese &/or Nacho soup; meat/no meat. (Any cream soup is good.) You can just get out the biggest pan you have, lay in the taters & enough sour cream and sauce to cover. Italian cheeses are nice too! Extra onions for the bottom are a nice addition too.

Eat taters! Be happy!

I always add a pound of hamburger to mine and I make it with cream of chicken vs. cream of mushroom. I usually double the cheese too, it's not too overpowering and my family loves cheese. Just my input though :)

I like your idea Jennifer adding the hamburger, I am going to try this plus maybe add some peas or broccoli to this recipe. hmmmm can't wait to taste this!

This sounds so delicious! Can't wait to make it!

I live in MN... the home of Tater Tot Hot Dish. Our recipe includes frying 1 lb. of hamburger and then adding 1 can of drained mixed vegetables (or use frozen), season salt & pepper to taste, 1 can cream of chicken soup (cuz I don't like mushrooms), 1/2 can of milk to the meat. Put the meat mixture in a corning ware casserole dish. Top with TATER TOTS and bake until crispy (45-60 minutes at 350°F). Serve with garlic bread and dessert and this makes a great hearty, inexpensive meal! Tater tots are meant to be eaten crispy! Hope you enjoy it!

I don't even care for Tater Tots but the entertainment value of comments has got me buying ingredients!

When making this as a side dish (great with barbecue) I don't add meat. I thaw my tater tots and break them up and stir all the ingredients together (cheese, soup, sour cream, onions... sometimes diced bacon). I don't think you can mess it up. I also use tater tots in breakfast casserole, eggs, sausage, milk. cheese and sometimes thawed chopped spinach or Ro-Tel tomatoes. YUM!!! If it's got tater tots in it... it's good!

BAH-HAHAHAHAHAH!!! too much fun. thanks for all the input... totally agree on the name.... tater tot casserole MUST contain tots. however, potato casserole can have ANY KIND OF POTATO! love all the extra ideas in here... gonna try it... as a side.. no meat.

Hey guys...nice to know people can still josh around. Hey, I use tater tots, a can of cream of mushroom, can of cream of celery, 1 lb. frozen mixed veggies (I like peas & carrots best), 1 chopped onion, 1 clove garlic (pressed or grated) and 1 lb. burger. brown the burger, mix in everything else except for 1/2 the tater tots. Pour into 13 x 9 pan and top with remaining tater tots. Have never had anybody turn up their nose...they usually ask for more! By the way, I sometimes make it in the crock pot for pot luck meals and nobody minds soft tater tots. So have fun and enjoy! Merry Christmas!

This looks really good!

Well I think I will try this for me and the kids, they like tater tots and I think I will use them. Sorry if that offends anyone...lol Happy Holidays!!!