Spread tator tots over casserole dish, but take a peek at the yummy layers underneath

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If I'm ever feeling overwhelmed about putting dinner on the table, I turn to tater tot casserole. I keep a bag in the freezer at all times, so it's easy to build a meal around them. I look around the kitchen to fill in the rest. Any protein will work: ground beef, a can of tuna fish or leftover shredded chicken.
Tater tots remind us of childhood. On Friday nights my dad would make a batch that we'd eat with ketchup and sour cream while we watched movies. They are the perfect snack food — crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They are just so satisfying. What better way to top a casserole than with tater tots?
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1. Chili dog tater tot casserole
You can make so many versions of tater tot casserole, but this version has certainly become a family favorite. It is a little bit spicy from the chili powder and a little bit sweet from the baked beans. The hot dogs are already perfectly spiced so you don't really need to do anything to make them taste good! It's a great, quick-and-easy weeknight dinner.
2. Taco tater casserole
This is not just a tater tot casserole; this is a taco tater casserole. Ground beef cooked with taco seasoning pairs with cheese, corn, more cheese and a layer of tater tots. And did I mention cheese? This is a perfect recipe for a lazy Friday night, after-school snack or the next big game.
3. Tater tot casserole
Much like fish sticks or chicken nuggets, tater tots often get generalized as children's food. The tiny, crispy, deep-fried morsels of potato goodness are anything but childish to eat. They may not be the fanciest way culinary invention, but they sure are tasty. With a little bit of help, they can be transformed into quite the delicious dish. This recipe takes tater tots and elevates them to a hearty ranch-style dish that any cowboy or cowgirl would love to sample.
4. Loaded nacho tater tot casserole
Start this recipe by baking the tater tots until they are super crispy – about five minutes longer than the package directions indicate. Then they get topped with all the essential nacho toppings before getting another quick bake. When they come out of the oven that second time, customize them to make your own perfect tater tot nachos. Salsa, sour cream and avocado on top taste terrific, but guacamole would be delicious too.
5. Tater tot bacon cheeseburger casserole
Why would you use tater tots when craving a bacon cheeseburger? Because, as this recipe points out, it's delicious. And using tater tots in place of a bun fits all of those flavors neatly on a fork. This dish is also a tasty make-ahead meal; you can make it on a Sunday and freeze it until later that week when you need a quick and easy dinner.
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