Tater Tot Casserole: 14 Cozy Twists on the Midwest Hotdish Families Ask for Every Week

Tater tot casserole is the dinner that never goes out of style, and right now Americans are searching for it more than at any time in the last three months. Google Trends showed interest hit a 90 day peak on October 25, and the fastest rising searches were all new twists: chili cheese, sloppy joe and even hot dog versions. It makes sense. One pan, a bag of frozen tots, a pound of ground meat and a can of soup can feed a whole family for about ten dollars. We start with the classic Minnesota hotdish from the church cookbook, then move on to the cheesy, crispy versions families are making this fall. Which one will land on your table first..

The Classic Minnesota Tater Tot Casserole (Hotdish)

In Minnesota they call it hotdish, and almost every church cookbook in the Midwest has a version. Ground beef, cream of mushroom soup and green beans go on the bottom, and a neat layer of tater tots goes on top. The tots bake up crisp while the filling turns rich and creamy. The Allrecipes classic has more than 860 ratings, and home cooks still swear by it. Start here and you can make every twist below..

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1 small onion (chopped), 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 cup milk, 2 cups frozen cut green beans (thawed), 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar, 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots, salt and pepper.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F and grease a 9×13 dish. 2. Brown the beef with the onion, drain and season. 3. Stir in the soup, milk and green beans and spread in the dish. 4. Sprinkle with 1 cup of cheese. 5. Line up the frozen tots on top in rows. 6. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, add the last cheese and bake 5 more minutes.

Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

This tater tot casserole tastes like a diner cheeseburger with a side of fries, all in one pan. The beef gets ketchup, mustard and onion, the cheese melts on top, and diced pickles finish it off. Kids who turn up their noses at casseroles usually ask for seconds. Serve it with shredded lettuce and tomato on the side so everyone can build their own “burger” plate. Are you a pickles on top person or a no pickles person?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1 small onion, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 can (10.5 oz) cheddar cheese soup, 2 cups shredded cheddar, 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots, 1/2 cup diced dill pickles.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Brown the beef and onion and drain. 3. Stir in the ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire and soup. 4. Spread in a 9×13 dish and top with 1 cup of cheese. 5. Cover with tots and bake 40 minutes. 6. Add the rest of the cheese, bake 5 minutes and top with pickles.

Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole

Searches for chili cheese tater tot casserole jumped about 50 percent this fall, and one bite explains why. A thick beef and bean chili goes on the bottom, the tots go on top, and a blanket of cheddar melts over everything. It is perfect for game day or a cold Friday night. Use leftover chili if you have it and dinner is ready in under an hour. Do you like your chili with beans or without?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1 small onion, 1 can (15 oz) chili beans, 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 2 cups shredded cheddar, 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots, sour cream and green onions to serve.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F. 2. Brown the beef and onion, then add beans, tomato sauce and spices and simmer 10 minutes. 3. Pour into a 9×13 dish and add 1 cup of cheese. 4. Top with frozen tots. 5. Bake 35 minutes, add the last cheese and bake 5 more. 6. Serve with sour cream and green onions.

Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

Sloppy joes were a school lunch favorite for a reason: sweet, tangy, messy and cheap. Put that saucy beef under a layer of crispy tots and you get a sloppy joe tater tot casserole that does not fall out of the bun. It is one of the rising searches this month and an easy win for busy weeknights. A side of coleslaw makes it feel like a real lunch lady tray. Did your school serve sloppy joes on Fridays?

You will need: 1 1/2 lb ground beef, 1 small onion, 1 green bell pepper, 1 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar, 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F. 2. Brown the beef with the onion and pepper and drain. 3. Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard and Worcestershire and simmer 5 minutes. 4. Spread in a 9×13 dish and top with cheese. 5. Cover with tots. 6. Bake 35 to 40 minutes until the tots are crisp.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole

Chicken, bacon and ranch is the combo that wins every potluck, and it works beautifully under tots. Use a rotisserie chicken to save time, stir in ranch seasoning and sour cream, then pile on crispy bacon and cheese. Bake it in a 9×13 dish for a crowd or in a cast iron skillet for a smaller family. Pro tip: save some bacon to sprinkle on right before serving so it stays crunchy. Ranch on everything: yes or no?

You will need: 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, 8 slices cooked bacon (chopped), 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup milk, 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning, 2 cups shredded cheddar, 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots, 2 green onions.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F. 2. Mix the chicken, half the bacon, sour cream, milk, ranch seasoning and 1 cup of cheese. 3. Spread in a greased dish. 4. Top with frozen tots. 5. Bake 35 minutes, then add the rest of the cheese and bacon and bake 5 more. 6. Finish with green onions.

Sausage, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Bake

Breakfast versions are some of the most watched tater tot recipes on YouTube, with one video passing 1.5 million views. Brown some sausage, pour over eggs and milk, and lay the tots on top or mix them in. It is perfect for Christmas morning, a brunch crowd or a make ahead weekday breakfast. Put it together the night before and bake it while the coffee brews. What is your must have breakfast meat: sausage, bacon or ham?

You will need: 1 lb breakfast sausage, 10 large eggs, 1 cup milk, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 2 cups shredded cheddar, 1/2 bag (16 oz) frozen tater tots, chopped chives.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and grease a 9×13 dish. 2. Brown and drain the sausage, then spread it in the dish with 1 cup of cheese. 3. Whisk the eggs, milk and seasonings and pour over. 4. Arrange the tots on top. 5. Bake 45 to 50 minutes until the center is set. 6. Add the last cheese, melt and top with chives.

Taco Tater Tot Casserole

Taco Tuesday meets tater tot casserole night. Seasoned beef, black beans and corn go under the tots, then a layer of pepper jack melts on top. The best part is the toppings bar: lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, salsa and sliced jalapenos so everyone makes their own. It is a great way to use up half a jar of salsa or a can of beans. Which taco topping can you never skip?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning, 2/3 cup water, 1 can (15 oz) black beans (drained), 1 cup corn, 1 cup salsa, 2 cups shredded pepper jack or Mexican blend cheese, 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots, taco toppings.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F. 2. Brown the beef, add taco seasoning and water and simmer 5 minutes. 3. Stir in beans, corn and salsa and spread in a 9×13 dish. 4. Add 1 cup of cheese and top with tots. 5. Bake 35 minutes, add the rest of the cheese and bake 5 more. 6. Serve with your favorite toppings.

Chicken Pot Pie With a Crispy Potato Crust

Love chicken pot pie but hate making crust? Tots are the shortcut. A creamy chicken and vegetable filling goes in a skillet or baking dish, and crispy potatoes take the place of pastry. It tastes like Sunday dinner but comes together on a Tuesday. A bag of frozen mixed vegetables keeps the cost and prep low. If you love old fashioned bakes like this, our church supper casseroles are full of them. Pot pie or chicken and dumplings: which wins?

You will need: 3 cups cooked chicken (diced), 1 bag (12 oz) frozen mixed vegetables, 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1/2 bag (16 oz) frozen tater tots.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F. 2. Stir together the chicken, vegetables, soup, broth, milk and seasonings. 3. Spread in a skillet or 8×8 dish. 4. Top with tots. 5. Bake 35 minutes until bubbly. 6. Add the cheese for the last 5 minutes.

Philly Cheesesteak on a Sheet Pan

All the best parts of a Philly cheesesteak, minus the hoagie roll. Thin sliced steak or ground beef cooks with peppers and onions, then provolone and crispy tots hold it all together. A sheet pan gives you more crunchy edges, which is the part everyone fights over. Any Philly fans out there? Tell us honestly: provolone, American or Cheez Whiz?

You will need: 1 1/2 lb thin sliced steak or ground beef, 1 large onion (sliced), 2 bell peppers (sliced), 8 oz mushrooms (sliced, optional), 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 8 slices provolone, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots, salt and pepper.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 425 F. 2. Spread the tots on a sheet pan and bake 15 minutes. 3. Meanwhile cook the steak, onion, peppers and mushrooms with Worcestershire, salt and pepper. 4. Spoon the steak mix over the tots. 5. Layer on the provolone and mozzarella. 6. Bake 10 minutes until melted and bubbly.

Buffalo Chicken Bake for Game Day

If your family loves wings, this is the one. Shredded chicken gets tossed in buffalo sauce and cream cheese, the tots go on top, and a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese finishes it like a basket of game day wings. Adjust the heat with how much hot sauce you add. It is great for football Sundays and easy to double for a party. How spicy do you like it on a scale of 1 to 10?

You will need: 3 cups shredded cooked chicken, 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce, 4 oz cream cheese (softened), 1/2 cup ranch dressing plus more for drizzling, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots, 2 celery stalks (finely chopped), green onions.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F. 2. Mix the chicken, buffalo sauce, cream cheese, ranch and celery. 3. Spread in a 9×13 dish and top with 1 cup of cheese. 4. Cover with tots and bake 35 minutes. 5. Add the rest of the cheese and bake 5 minutes. 6. Drizzle with ranch and sprinkle green onions.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Tater Tot Casserole

Thanksgiving falls on November 26 this year, and this is the best way to use what is left in the fridge. Turkey, stuffing, gravy and a few green beans go in the bottom, tots on top, and a spoon of cranberry sauce on the side. It is like a second holiday dinner with almost no work. Many families now plan for it on purpose. Which leftover do you look forward to most: turkey, stuffing or pie?

You will need: 3 cups chopped leftover turkey, 2 cups leftover stuffing, 1 1/2 cups turkey gravy, 1 cup cooked green beans or corn, 1 cup shredded Swiss or mozzarella, 1/2 bag (16 oz) frozen tater tots, cranberry sauce to serve.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Press the stuffing into a greased 9×13 dish. 3. Toss the turkey and vegetables with the gravy and spread over the stuffing. 4. Sprinkle with cheese. 5. Top with tots. 6. Bake 35 to 40 minutes until hot and crisp and serve with cranberry sauce.

Pizza Night Bake With Pepperoni

Pizza night, but make it a tater tot casserole. Italian sausage and marinara go under the tots, then mozzarella and pepperoni go on top just like a real pie. Kids love helping with the toppings, and you can split the pan with half pepperoni and half veggie. It reheats really well for lunches too. Settle a family debate: thin crust, deep dish or tater tot crust?

You will need: 1 lb Italian sausage, 1 small onion, 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots, 30 slices pepperoni, fresh basil.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F. 2. Brown the sausage and onion and drain. 3. Stir in the marinara and Italian seasoning and spread in a 9×13 dish. 4. Top with 1 cup of mozzarella, then the tots. 5. Bake 35 minutes. 6. Add the rest of the cheese, Parmesan and pepperoni and bake 8 more minutes.

Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Broccoli cheddar soup in casserole form. Chicken and tender broccoli sit in a creamy cheddar sauce, and the tots soak up just enough of it on the bottom while staying crunchy on top. It is a sneaky way to get a vegetable on a picky eater plate. Frozen broccoli works just as well as fresh and saves you time. Quick poll: A) broccoli lovers, B) only with cheese, C) never, D) depends on the day?

You will need: 3 cups cooked chicken (chopped), 4 cups broccoli florets (steamed or thawed), 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup milk, 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 bag (16 oz) frozen tater tots.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Mix the chicken, broccoli, soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder and 1 cup of cheese. 3. Spread in a greased 9×13 dish. 4. Top with tots. 5. Bake 40 minutes. 6. Add the rest of the cheese and bake 5 minutes more.

Make Ahead Tater Tot Casserole and Tips for Crispy Tots

Tater tot casserole is one of the best freezer meals there is. Assemble the filling in a foil or glass dish, cool it, and freeze it without the tots for up to three months. Add the tots right before baking so they stay crisp. A few rules help every version: always put tots on frozen, use them only on top, and bake the last 10 minutes uncovered. Which version from this list will you make first?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef or turkey, 1 onion, 1 can (10.5 oz) cream soup of your choice, 1/2 cup milk, 2 cups frozen vegetables, 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese, 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots, foil and freezer labels.

How to make it: 1. Cook the meat and onion, then stir in the soup, milk and vegetables. 2. Cool completely and spread in a freezer safe dish. 3. Wrap tightly, label and freeze. 4. Thaw overnight in the fridge. 5. Top with cheese and frozen tots. 6. Bake at 375 F for 45 to 55 minutes until hot in the center and crisp on top.