Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Meet your new weeknight champion: Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole! This mouthwatering dish layers crispy tater tots, savory meatballs, and two kinds of oozing cheese, all enveloped in a creamy sauce that brings everyone back for seconds. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or want something show-stopping for a casual gathering, this casserole is the kind of hearty comfort food that totally hits the spot. Say hello to cheesy, crispy, nostalgic goodness in every single bite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole is how each ingredient pulls its weight for flavor and texture, while keeping the steps easy and the results delicious. You’ll find these are everyday ingredients, but when they come together, magic happens in the oven!
- Frozen tater tots (1 (32 oz) bag): These little potato nuggets get deliciously golden and crispy, making a perfect casserole base.
- Frozen fully cooked meatballs (1 (24 oz) package): Grab your favorite brand or flavor for a fast protein upgrade without extra work.
- Canned condensed cream of mushroom soup (1 (10.5 oz) can): Adds that essential creamy, savory backbone—swap for cream of chicken or celery for a twist.
- Sour cream (1 cup): Brings a luscious tang to the sauce and keeps everything inside super moist.
- Shredded cheddar cheese (1 cup, divided): Rich and sharp, cheddar melts into gooey pockets and toasts beautifully on top.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (1 cup, divided): For extra stretch and a mild creamy finish.
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon): A pantry staple that adds subtle depth without overpowering the casserole.
- Onion powder (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the flavor and pairs perfectly with both the meat and potatoes.
- Black pepper (½ teaspoon): Just enough to give a gentle, warming kick.
- Chopped fresh parsley (2 tablespoons, optional for garnish): Adds a pop of freshness and color right before serving.
How to Make Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Give your 9×13-inch baking dish a quick mist with some nonstick spray or a light greasing—this helps ensure a crisp, golden layer of tater tots that won’t stick when serving!
Step 2: Layer Tater Tots
Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer at the bottom of your baking dish. You want them nestled together, but not stacked—this is key for even crisping and that signature crunchy texture on the bottom.
Step 3: Add the Meatballs
Take your frozen, fully cooked meatballs and scatter them evenly over the bed of tater tots. No need to thaw! The oven will work its magic, and the meatballs will heat up perfectly as everything bakes together.
Step 4: Make the Cheesy Cream Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, half the cheddar, half the mozzarella, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. This mixture should be creamy and smooth, ready to pour. It brings everything together and adds so much flavor to each bite.
Step 5: Assemble and Top
Pour your sauce mixture evenly over the meatballs and tater tots, making sure every nook gets a little love. Then, sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella evenly over the top—this is where that irresistibly cheesy crust forms!
Step 6: Bake Until Golden
Bake the casserole uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is bubbling, the cheese is melted with some golden spots, and those tater tots are beautifully crisped around the edges.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Once it’s out of the oven, let it rest for a few minutes. If you’re feeling fancy, shower some chopped fresh parsley over the top for a fresh finish and a pop of color. Now, you can scoop out hearty servings of Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole for everyone to dig in!
How to Serve Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole
Garnishes
A generous sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley brightens up your casserole and adds a fresh herbal note that balances the richness. For a little more zest, a few slices of green onion or a dash of cracked pepper on top work wonders too!
Side Dishes
Pair your Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole with something crisp and green to round out the meal—a simple tossed salad, steamed broccoli, or roasted green beans are all excellent choices. If you want to make it a true comfort feast, serve with buttered corn or some warm dinner rolls for dipping into the cheesy sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn this classic casserole into party-ready individual servings by baking in oven-safe ramekins or mini skillets. For a fun family dinner, let everyone garnish their own portion with extra cheese, herbs, or a dollop of sour cream. You can even use Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole as a potluck star—just keep it warm in a slow cooker for easy self-serve seconds!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any leftovers cool to room temperature, then cover your casserole dish tightly or transfer portions into airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator, and your Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole will remain delicious for up to 3 days.
Freezing
This casserole is freezer-friendly! Once completely cooled, wrap the dish tightly with foil or transfer to a freezer-safe container. Label and freeze for up to 2 months. For best results, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven covered with foil for about 20 minutes, or until warmed through. For a crispy top, remove the foil during the last 5–10 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions, but be aware the tater tots won’t stay as crisp.
FAQs
Can I use homemade meatballs?
Absolutely! If you have homemade meatballs on hand (cooked and cooled), you can substitute them right in. Just keep the size close to store-bought frozen ones so everything cooks evenly.
What can I use instead of cream of mushroom soup?
Feel free to swap for cream of chicken or cream of celery soup if that’s what you have—or make your own simple white sauce with butter, flour, and milk for a from-scratch spin.
How far ahead can I assemble this casserole?
You can prep Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole up to a day in advance. Assemble everything up to the baking stage, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake when ready, adding a few extra minutes if going straight from the fridge.
Can I add vegetables to this casserole?
Definitely! Toss in frozen peas, corn, or even some sautéed mushrooms and peppers right into the casserole before baking for a little veggie boost.
What’s the best way to keep the tater tots crispy?
For super-crisp tater tots, make sure to spread them in a single layer and bake the casserole uncovered. A few minutes under the broiler at the end can also add extra crunch.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a dish that brings people together and makes everyone smile, you simply can’t go wrong with Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole. It’s easy, customizable, and overwhelmingly delicious—perfect for busy nights or anytime you need a little extra comfort on your table. Give it a try and watch it become a new family tradition!
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Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole. Layers of tater tots, meatballs, and a creamy cheese sauce come together for a hearty and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Tater Tot Layer:
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
Meatball Layer:
- 1 (24 oz) package frozen fully cooked meatballs
Cheese Sauce:
- 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer tater tots and meatballs: Arrange tater tots in a single layer in the bottom of the dish. Evenly place meatballs over the tater tots.
- Prepare cheese sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, ½ cup cheddar cheese, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth.
- Assemble casserole: Pour cheese mixture evenly over the meatballs and tater tots. Sprinkle remaining cheddar and mozzarella over the top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes until bubbly and golden. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can swap the cream of mushroom soup for cream of chicken or cream of celery.
- For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of paprika or Italian seasoning before baking.
- This dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (about 1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
