Easy Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting and easy dish that combines tender shredded chicken with crispy tater tots, all smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce. This is a family favorite, perfect for feeding a crowd or making on busy weeknights!
Casseroles are just the thing for feeding a large family! Some of my favorites include Ravioli Bake, Chicken Enchilada Casserole, Baked Bacon Make and Cheese, Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole, Easy Taco Casserole, and Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole.
Why This Recipe Works
Kid-Friendly: This easy cheesy tater tot casserole is a kid-friendly meal that is delicious and nutritious! It is packed with veggies and protein from the chicken, but also has plenty of creamy, cheesy flavor! So even the pickiest of eaters are going to love this one. I did add mushrooms, but you can simply omit them or replace them with a different vegetable if you prefer.
No Fuss Dinner: If you need an easy dinner for those busy weeknights, cheesy tater tot casserole is going to be perfect for you. It is comforting and satisfying, but doesn’t take very long to whip up and have on the table! Especially if you opt to use a rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken that you have on hand.
Ingredients
- Onion: Dice an onion into small pieces for added flavor and a slight texture!
- Mushrooms: You can use any sliced mushrooms you would like. Crimini or button mushrooms would both work well!
- Spices: Thyme, garlic powder, salt and pepper are used to spice up this casserole to flavorful perfection!
- Frozen Mixed Vegetables: Not only are they so easy to use, but they add extra nutrients!
- Flour: A little bit of flour with the chicken broth and butter will create a gravy-like filling.
- Chicken Broth: I used low-sodium chicken broth here. If you use regular chicken broth, don’t go too crazy with the salt! You can always add more salt at the end before baking it.
- Sour Cream: Some sour cream makes the casserole filling super creamy!
- Grated Cheese: I like to use cheddar cheese in this recipe but feel free to use whatever grated cheese you have on hand!
- Shredded Chicken: You can make this ahead of time by baking or boiling chicken breast. Or, use some of a rotisserie chicken!
- Tater Tots: Top off the casserole with tater tots! They will get nice and crispy in the oven.
Here’s How to Make It
Step by Step Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat the oven to 425 F. (not pictured)
- Sauté Onion: Heat the butter over a medium high heat in a large frying pan or skillet. Once the butter is frothy, add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until it is starting to soften in color. (photos 1-2)
- Add Mushrooms & Spices: Add the mushrooms and continue to cook until the mushrooms are slightly golden. Season with the thyme, garlic powder, salt and pepper. (photo 3)
- Add Veggies & Broth: Stir in the vegetables and the flour. Stir in the chicken broth and allow to bubble away until slightly thickened. This should take 2-3 minutes. (photos 4-6)
- Add Cheese: Remove from heat and stir in the sour cream and half the cheese. Season to taste with more salt and pepper before stirring in the shredded chicken. (photos 7-9)
- Bake: Transfer to a large baking dish and top with the tater tots. Scatter with the remaining cheese and bake for 30 minutes until golden and bubbling. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving. (photo 10-12)
Expert Tips
- Don’t have chicken on hand? You can replace the shredded chicken with ground turkey or beef, or add in shredded beef or pork! Just make sure you cook it fully before adding it to the casserole mixture.
- Adjust the veggies! You can make this easy cheesy tater tot casserole your own by adding or omitting veggies however you’d like. Try using fresh green beans, zucchini, bell peppers, or broccoli!
- You can replace the sour cream with plain greek yogurt if desired!
Frequently Asked Questions
This simple tater tot casserole can be made vegetarian by making it without meat. I would replace the meat with some black beans or add some extra veggies!
Cheesy chicken tater tot casserole has protein, carbs and veggies all in one dish, so it isn’t necessary to serve it with anything else! However, you can totally serve it alongside a simple side salad or roasted Brussels sprouts and some homemade crescent rolls!
Leftover tater tot casserole can be kept covered in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheats well in the microwave.
More Casserole Recipes to Try
Did you make this recipe? FANTASTIC. Please rate the recipe below and be sure to tag me on social when you share a photo on social – I love seeing what you’re up to in the kitchen!
Easy Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 brown onion - chopped
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- ½ tsp dried thyme - or 1/4 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- salt - to taste
- cracked pepper - to taste
- 1 ¼ cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken - from approx 2 large chicken breasts
- 1 lb 4 oz frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat to oven to 425F.
- Heat the butter over a medium high heat in a large frying pan or skillet. Once the butter is frothy add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until it is starting to soften and color.
- Add the mushrooms and continue to cook until the mushrooms are slightly golden. Season with the thyme, garlic powder, and some salt and pepper.
- Stir in the vegetables and the flour. Stir in the chicken broth and allow to bubble away until slightly thickened. This should take 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the sour cream and half the cheese. Season to taste with more salt and pepper before stirring in the shredded chicken.
- Transfer to a large baking dish and top with the tater tots. Scatter with the remaining cheese and bake for 30 minutes until golden and bubbling. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Don’t have chicken on hand? You can replace the shredded chicken with ground turkey or beef, or add in shredded beef or pork! Just make sure you cook it fully before adding it to the casserole mixture.
- Adjust the veggies! You can make this easy cheesy tater tot casserole your own by adding or omitting veggies however you’d like. Try using fresh green beans, zucchini, bell peppers, or broccoli!
- You can replace the sour cream with plain greek yogurt if desired!
This was so delicious! I used to make mini chicken pot pies but it was a lot of work. This tasted almost just like those except with tator tots instead and I think I like the tots better than pie dough anyway! This was also very easy to make. The hardest part was cutting up the mushrooms, ha ha. I bought shredded chicken from the deli section at my store and that made it really easy. Thanks for the great recipe!