Have you ever wondered “Can you freeze leftover tater tot casserole?” Well, you can and I got the instructions for you in this post!
If you are looking for new freezer meals, this one is for you and the whole family! This will quickly become a family favorite because it is an easy meal and a spin on the classic tater tot casserole.
Disclaimer: it is spicy so if you have kiddos that are not into spicy yet, you may want to take the jalapenos out! But I bet some teenage boys would devour this hearty casserole.
Nutrition
How to make a complete meal with this easy casserole recipe: Add a side dish that includes vegetables or fruit. This already delicious meal includes protein, starch, and dairy.
- I like to add a side salad or fruit for simplicity!
- Having a balanced meal does not have to be complicated as everyone thinks!
Storing
So can you freeze leftover tater tot casserole? Yes, yes you can!
Cool it Down: Let your tater tot casserole cool to room temperature. It helps maintain the texture when you freeze it.
Wrap it Up: Cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Make sure it's sealed tight to prevent freezer burn.
Double Layer: If you are worried about freezing the leftover tater tot casserole, put the wrapped casserole in a resealable plastic bag. Double layers can help keep the flavors intact.
Label and Date: Label with the date and what's inside the package.
Freeze: Pop it in the freezer. If you plan to keep it for an extended period, consider using a freezer-safe container.
Reheating: When you're ready to eat it, thaw it in the fridge overnight and then reheat it in the oven for that crispy tater tot goodness.
Side Recipe Ideas
What You'll Need
Ingredients:
- Frozen Tater Tots:
- Ground Turkey: I like to use 93% lean ground turkey.
- Worcestershire sauce
- Hot Sauce - I use either sriracha or Frank’s RedHot Sauce.
- Pickled Jalapenos
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Plain Greek Yogurt - Greek yogurt increases the protein content of the dish!
- Cumin
- Cayenne Pepper
How to Make Tater Tot Casserole
Preheat: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
Cook Meat: In a large skillet, cook the ground turkey over medium heat until browned.
Add Sauces: Add Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce to the cooked turkey. Stir well to combine.
Drain Jalapenos: Drain the pickled jalapenos and chop them into small pieces. Set aside.
Combine More Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, cumin, and cayenne pepper.
Assemble the Casserole: Spread half of the frozen tater tots in an even layer on the bottom of the greased baking dish. Layer the cooked turkey mixture over the tater tots. Sprinkle the pickled jalapenos, shredded cheddar cheese, and the Greek yogurt mixture over the ground turkey.
Top the Casserole: Top the rest of the casserole off with the remaining frozen tater tots.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown.
The Best Spicy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe (Easy)
Ingredients
- 30 ounces frozen tater tots
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 16 ounces pickled jalapenos
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups plain Greek yogurt
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground turkey over medium heat until browned.
- Add Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce to the cooked meat. Stir well to combine.
- Drain the pickled jalapenos and chop them into small pieces. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, cumin, and cayenne pepper.
- Spread half of the frozen tater tots in an even layer on the bottom of the greased, oven-safe baking dish. Layer the cooked turkey mixture over the tater tots. Sprinkle the pickled jalapenos, shredded cheddar cheese, and the Greek yogurt mixture over the ground turkey.
- Top the rest of the casserole off with the remaining frozen tater tots.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown.
Notes
Nutrition
Substitutions/Variations
Replace Greek yogurt with: Cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup, or sour cream
Add vegetables: green beans, bell peppers, white or yellow onions, green onions (add on top after baking)
Replace ground turkey with ground beef
Add in 1 tablespoon of garlic powder and/or onion powder
FAQ
A. Inadequate baking time - try baking it a little longer. Another reason could be because of the addition of onions which could add in additional moisture.
A. The biggest battle with keeping a casserole moist is during the reheating process. I have found that lightly sprinkling water on top of the casserole can help so much!
A. Typically, if you have a casserole with cooked ingredients you will cook uncovered so that the top of the casserole will be crispier.
Make this cheesy tater tot casserole on those busy weeknights when you are looking for easy dinners! I promise you, it is an easy meal that the family will love! It includes all simple ingredients so you can easily find them at your local grocery store.
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