Upgraded TaterTot Casserole

TaterTot casserole is a kid-pleaser. It has been a favorite for generations and this upgraded version will appeal to the whole family. I changed Chef Alli's recipe a bit (reduced bacon and cheese and omitted onions). Also, instead of tater tots I used corn nuggets, a similar frozen product made with corn kernels instead of potato bits. We liked it and it was eaten quickly!

TaterTot – Bacon – Cheeseburger Casserole

Ingredients: 

1 ½ pounds ground beef

6 slices bacon, crisp cooked and crumbled

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

10.75 oz can condensed cheddar cheese soup

16 oz. sour cream

32-oz package frozen tater tots (will have some left over)

Instructions: 

1.    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

2.    In a large skillet over medium heat, cook beef until nicely browned and no pink remains; drain fats well. 

3.    In a mixing bowl, combine cooked beef, crumbled bacon (save some for garnish), 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, soup, and sour cream; spread prepared mixture into a greased 8 x 8-inch baking dish. Top with tater tots; placing them in even rows over the filling, then gently spray tater tots with nonstick baking spray. 

4.    Bake, uncovered, on center rack for 40-45 minutes, or until filling is hot and bubbly, and tater tots are golden brown. Garnish with cheese and chopped bacon. Serve at once.