Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our Cheesy Tater Tot Meatloaf Casserole. This delicious dish combines the classic flavors of meatloaf with the crispy goodness of tater tots and a generous layer of gooey cheese. It’s a crowd-pleasing recipe that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. With its savory blend of ingredients and easy preparation, this casserole is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family gatherings. Get ready to savor every bite of this irresistible delight!
In our little family, the Cheesy Tater Tot Meatloaf Casserole has become a culinary legend. It all started when my husband, a meatloaf aficionado, declared that he wanted to try something new. We combined his love for meatloaf with our shared adoration for tater tots and cheese, and the result was pure magic. From the first time we made this casserole, it quickly became a staple in our household. It’s the dish our kids request for their birthdays, the recipe we bring to potlucks, and the comfort food that always brings smiles to our faces. Trust me, once you taste this cheesy, meaty goodness, you’ll understand why it has captured our hearts.
“Why This Cheesy Tater Tot Meatloaf Casserole Will Be Your New Favorite”
- A perfect fusion of classic meatloaf flavors and irresistible tater tots.
- The combination of lean ground beef, Ritz crackers, and Lipton onion soup mix creates a moist and flavorful meatloaf base.
- A mouthwatering blend of Sweet Baby Ray’s Hickory & Brown Sugar barbecue sauce and ketchup adds a tangy and sweet kick to the dish.
- Generously topped with frozen tater tots, shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend, and real bacon bits for an extra layer of deliciousness.
- The baking process creates a crispy tater tot crust and melty, gooey cheese on top.
- The recipe is versatile and can be customized with your favorite ingredients such as diced onions or bell peppers.
- It’s a crowd-pleasing dish that both kids and adults will love, making it perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 908 grams (2 pounds) lean ground beef
- 30 Ritz crackers, crushed
- 240 ml (1 cup) ketchup
- 56 grams (2 ounces) Lipton onion soup mix
- 680 grams (24 ounces) frozen tater tots
- 240 ml (1 cup) Sweet Baby Ray’s Hickory & Brown Sugar barbecue sauce
- 60 grams (¼ cup) real bacon bits
- 226 grams (2 cups) shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F).
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the ketchup and barbecue sauce. Mix well until blended, and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, place the ground beef.
- Place the Ritz crackers in a large Ziplock bag, seal it, and crush the crackers using a rolling pin.
- Transfer the crushed Ritz crackers to the bowl with the ground beef.
- Add the onion soup mix, eggs, half cup of the ketchup and barbecue sauce mixture to the bowl.
- Mix the ingredients using your hands until just combined.
- Grease a 22 x 33 cm (9 x 13 inch) baking dish and press the meat mixture into it.
- Spread the remaining ketchup and barbecue sauce mixture over the meat mixture.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the sauce.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese and bacon bits over the tater tots.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and tent it to create space between the foil and the cheese.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 40 minutes or until the ground beef is fully cooked.
- Once done, take the casserole out of the oven and let it rest for a couple of minutes.
- Slice the casserole and serve it hot, savoring the delightful blend of flavors and textures.
Notes:
- Feel free to customize this recipe by adding your favorite ingredients, such as diced onions or bell peppers, to the meat mixture.
- For a spicier kick, substitute the barbecue sauce with a spicy variant.
- Ensure the ground beef is fully cooked by using a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 71 degrees Celsius (160 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated for a quick and delicious meal the next day.
Cheesy Tater Tot Meatloaf Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 908 grams 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 30 Ritz crackers crushed
- 240 ml 1 cup ketchup
- 56 grams 2 ounces Lipton onion soup mix
- 680 grams 24 ounces frozen tater tots
- 240 ml 1 cup Sweet Baby Ray's Hickory & Brown Sugar barbecue sauce
- 60 grams ¼ cup real bacon bits
- 226 grams 2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F).
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the ketchup and barbecue sauce. Mix well until blended, and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, place the ground beef.
- Place the Ritz crackers in a large Ziplock bag, seal it, and crush the crackers using a rolling pin.
- Transfer the crushed Ritz crackers to the bowl with the ground beef.
- Add the onion soup mix, eggs, half cup of the ketchup and barbecue sauce mixture to the bowl.
- Mix the ingredients using your hands until just combined.
- Grease a 22 x 33 cm (9 x 13 inch) baking dish and press the meat mixture into it.
- Spread the remaining ketchup and barbecue sauce mixture over the meat mixture.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the sauce.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese and bacon bits over the tater tots.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and tent it to create space between the foil and the cheese.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 40 minutes or until the ground beef is fully cooked.
- Once done, take the casserole out of the oven and let it rest for a couple of minutes.
- Slice the casserole and serve it hot, savoring the delightful blend of flavors and textures.