Tater Tot Casserole
This savory dish features layers of browned sausage, melted cheese, and crispy tater tots baked to perfection.
This savory dish features layers of browned sausage, melted cheese, and crispy tater tots baked to perfection.
- Carbohydrate 272.406576996341 g
- Cholesterol 335.000000040577 mg
- Fat 175.733854311187 g
- Fiber 17.2365098437103 g
- Protein 107.717350235066 g
- Saturated Fat 80.8643815909676 g
- Serving Size 1 1 recipe (2350g)
- Sodium 6234.52426196231 mg
- Sugar 255.17006715263 g
- Trans Fat 9.29173823773382 g
- Calories 3037 calories
Step-by-step
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, and spread evenly in the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan. Spread cheese over sausage.
- In large bowl, beat together milk and eggs. Pour over cheese. (May be refrigerated overnight at this point).Top with tater tots.
- Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes. Cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Standard breakfast casseroles rely on soft bread cubes that often turn mushy in dairy-heavy liquid mixtures. This version swaps bread for frozen potato cylinders, introducing starch structures that maintain structural integrity. Efficient cooking requires attention to moisture management and protein shrinkage. Follow specific execution parameters to prevent soggy potatoes.
- Brown the ground pork breakfast sausage over medium-high heat until deep mahogany crusts form on the meat particles, which builds essential umami before assembly.
- Drain excess rendered pork fat thoroughly in a colander before layering the meat into the 9x13-inch pan, preventing pool formation at the base.
- Whisk the two eggs and two cups of milk vigorously until fully homogenized so the liquid binds the shredded cheddar evenly during baking.
- Bake the assembled dish uncovered in a 350 degrees F oven for 35 to 45 minutes until the internal custard sets and the potato crowns turn golden.
- Allow the baked pan to rest for 5 to 10 minutes on a wire rack before slicing, letting internal temperatures stabilize for clean portioning.
Portions stored properly in airtight containers retain their structural integrity for subsequent meals. Reheating individual squares in a toaster oven restores exterior potato crispiness better than microwave methods.
