Gather ’round, my fellow flavor fanatics, because I’m about to take your taste buds on an epic adventure! This Loaded Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food mashup that’s about to turn your kitchen into a flavor paradise. We’re talking crispy, golden tater tots smothered in a creamy, dreamy ranch sauce, loaded with ooey-gooey cheese and crispy bacon bits. It’s the kind of dish that will have your friends and family begging for seconds (and maybe even thirds!).
Why You’ll Love This Loaded Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
Listen up, y’all – this recipe is absolutely INSANE, and I’m not even sorry about it! This Loaded Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food mash-up that’s guaranteed to make your taste buds do a little happy dance. We’re talking about a flavor explosion that’s gonna have you coming back for more, whether you’re craving a cozy, indulgent meal or just looking to satisfy your snack cravings. The crispy, golden tater tots, the creamy, dreamy ranch sauce, the melty, gooey cheese, and the crispy bacon bits – it’s a flavor combination that’s simply out of this world. This dish is so epic, it’s gonna have your friends and family fighting over the last bite. Trust me, once you try this Loaded Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole, you’ll be hooked for life!
Ingredients
Get ready to stock up on some serious flavor power, because this Loaded Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole is about to blow your mind! You’ll need a bag of frozen tater tots, some crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar cheese, a cup of sour cream, a packet of ranch seasoning, and a splash of milk to bring it all together. And of course, we can’t forget the star of the show – the bold, savory flavor of those tater tots that are about to become the ultimate canvas for our culinary masterpiece.
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots – the ultimate flavor base
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled – for that irresistible smoky, salty crunch
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese – because more cheese is always better
- 1 cup sour cream – the creamy foundation for our dreamy ranch sauce
- 1 (1 oz) packet ranch seasoning – for that signature tangy, herby flavor
- 1/4 cup milk – to thin out the ranch sauce to perfection
Ingredient Substitutions
- Bacon: Swap it out for crispy chicken or spicy Italian sausage for a totally different flavor profile
- Cheese: Go for a blend of cheeses like pepper jack, mozzarella, or even a sprinkle of parmesan
How to Make Loaded Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
Alright, let’s get this party started! First things first, preheat your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C) and grease up a 9×13-inch baking dish. Now, grab a large skillet and cook up that crispy bacon until it’s perfectly golden and delicious. Once it’s done, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess grease.
Step 1: Prep Work
Next, it’s time to make the creamy, dreamy ranch sauce that’s gonna take this dish to the next level. In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, ranch seasoning, and a splash of milk until it’s nice and smooth. Now, add in those crispy bacon bits and give it a good stir to combine.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Here’s where the magic happens, my friends. Grab those frozen tater tots and spread them out in an even layer in your prepared baking dish. Then, pour the creamy ranch sauce over the top, making sure to cover every last tot. Finally, sprinkle on that shredded cheddar cheese and get ready to bake this beauty until it’s golden, bubbly, and absolutely irresistible.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Once that casserole comes out of the oven, you’re gonna want to let it cool for a few minutes before diving in. This will give the sauce a chance to thicken up and the cheese to get all melty and perfect. And if you really want to take this dish to the next level, you can top it off with a sprinkle of chopped green onions or a drizzle of extra ranch dressing. Trust me, your taste buds are gonna be in absolute heaven!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Topping Ideas: Add a dollop of cool, creamy sour cream, a drizzle of tangy barbecue sauce, or even a sprinkle of crispy fried onions for some extra crunch
- Meal Prep Tip: If you’re making this dish in advance, just store the tater tots and the ranch sauce separately. That way, when it’s time to bake, you can just assemble everything and pop it in the oven for a quick and easy weeknight dinner
- Swap the Meat: Trade out the bacon for crispy chicken or spicy Italian sausage for a totally different flavor profile
- Mix Up the Cheese: Go for a blend of cheeses like pepper jack, mozzarella, or even a sprinkle of parmesan
Serving & Storage
Serve with: a fresh green salad or steamed veggies for a balanced meal.
Storage: Cover the baking dish with foil or transfer the casserole to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Bake the leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until hot and bubbly, being careful not to overcook the tater tots.
Make-Ahead: Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake. Just preheat the oven and you’re good to go!
Nutrition Information
Now, I know what you’re thinking – this Loaded Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole sounds like a total indulgence, and you’d be absolutely right! This dish is definitely not for the faint of heart, but hey, sometimes you just gotta live a little, right? That being said, we’re talkin’ about a hearty serving of protein from the bacon and cheese, as well as some carbs and healthy fats from the tater tots. Just be mindful of your portion sizes, and don’t forget to balance it out with a fresh salad or some steamed veggies on the side. After all, we want to keep things epic, but not too crazy!
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the casserole
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Protein: 17 g
- Carbs: 34 g
- Fat: 34 g
- Sodium: 1240 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, I highly recommend it. Just assemble the casserole, cover it, and pop it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. When it’s time to enjoy, simply preheat the oven and bake it off.
Can I use different types of cheese?
Heck yeah, you can! While I’m a big fan of the classic cheddar, you could definitely switch things up with a blend of cheeses, like pepper jack, mozzarella, or even a sprinkle of parmesan.
Can I use a different type of potato?
I mean, I’m not gonna lie, the tater tots are kind of the star of the show here. But if you’re not a tot fan, you could absolutely use diced potatoes or even hash browns instead. Just be sure to adjust the baking time accordingly.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
You bet your taste buds! Just swap out the bacon for some crispy fried onions or even some roasted mushrooms or peppers. The possibilities are endless, my friends!
How can I make this dish even more epic?
Well, the great thing about this Loaded Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole is that it’s already pretty darn epic as is. But if you really want to take it to the next level, try adding a dollop of cool, creamy sour cream, a drizzle of tangy barbecue sauce, or even a sprinkle of crispy fried onions for some extra crunch. The possibilities are endless, so have fun with it!
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Irresistible Loaded Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: 🍟 COMFORT CHAOS
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Loaded Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole is a delicious comfort food dish that combines crispy tater tots, creamy ranch flavor, and crispy bacon for a crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
2 pounds tater tots
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1 packet ranch seasoning mix
1/2 cup chopped green onions
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, ranch seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Add in the cooked bacon and half of the green onions, mixing until well combined.
4. In a greased 9Ă—13 inch baking dish, spread half of the tater tots in an even layer.
5. Pour half of the ranch mixture over the tater tots and sprinkle with half of the cheddar cheese.
6. Repeat the layers with the remaining tater tots, ranch mixture, and cheese.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown.
8. Remove from the oven and top with the remaining green onions before serving.
Notes
For extra crispiness, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end of baking.
Feel free to customize with your favorite toppings like jalapeños or diced tomatoes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: tater tots, bacon, casserole, ranch