Print

Crispy Loaded Tater Tot Casserole Recipe with Bacon and Ranch Made Easy

crispy loaded tater tot casserole - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy casserole combining crispy tater tots, smoky bacon, tangy ranch, and cheesy layers for a comforting and crowd-pleasing meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 32 ounces frozen tater tots
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
  • 1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3/4 cup ranch dressing
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 stalks green onions, sliced thin
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels and chop into bite-sized pieces. Leave some bacon grease in the pan.
  3. Add chopped onion to the skillet with bacon grease and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up and cooking until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. In a large bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup and ranch dressing until smooth. Stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese and half of the chopped bacon.
  6. Spread the browned beef mixture evenly in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the creamy ranch mixture over the beef and spread gently to cover.
  7. Layer the frozen tater tots evenly on top without thawing.
  8. Bake for 35-40 minutes until tots are golden and crispy and casserole is bubbling. If tots are not crispy enough, broil for 2-3 minutes watching closely.
  9. Remove casserole from oven and sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese and bacon pieces on top. Return to oven for 5 minutes until cheese melts.
  10. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.

Notes

Keep tater tots frozen until baking to maintain crispiness. Cook bacon separately until crispy for best texture. Season beef mixture well with salt and pepper. Broil at the end if tots need extra crisping. Can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: tater tot casserole, bacon, ranch dressing, comfort food, cheesy casserole, quick dinner, easy casserole

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/crispy-loaded-tater-tot-casserole-recipe-with-bacon-and-ranch-made-easy/