18 Fun Recipes That Start With Tater Tots

Tater tot casseroles are a classic potluck dish. This version has Mexican flavors thanks to taco seasoning, Mexican style corn, black beans, and Mexican cheese. Allrecipes cook Gramsfam 1 says this "was a quick and easy dinner and my family absolutely loved it. I added a small can of diced green chilis to give it a little extra flavor."

If getting dinner on the table quickly is your goal, this tater tot casserole couldn't be easier. Season and layer ground beef with tater tots, pour over a mixture of mushroom soup, celery soup and milk, then bake. It's also very versatile. Allrecipes cook Cardinals Fan said they "browned the hamburger first and added green beans and shredded cheese to the recipe," like many of the other reviewers.

Nachos are a fan favorite, and when you replace the tortilla chips with tater tots, you have a whole new dish that's just as perfect. This version tops the tots with buffalo chicken, cheese, and ranch dressing (or blue cheese if you prefer).

"The potatoes crisp in bacon grease before being baked with Cheddar cheese for an easy bacony, cheesy treat," says fabeveryday. "These delicious tots are great as a side dish or as a game day appetizer. Add an egg on top, and it's an amazing breakfast, too!

This indulgent dish (hence the name!) is a riff on chili-cheese fries, but with tots of course. It's also a perfect dish for a night of sports or watching the Big Game. Many reviewers subbed in fresh cheddar for the Velveeta, added chopped canned jalapeños, or made their own chili instead of using canned.

Any food wrapped in bacon is usually a party pleaser, so bacon-wrapped tots will go fast! Serve as part of a brunch or for an appetizer at a party. Some reviewers said they omitted the cheese in favor of pickled jalapeño, and others whipped up dipping sauces — honey mustard or maple syrup were favorites.

These egg cups are a great way to start your morning; they're filled with everything that makes for a great breakfast— fresh veggies, bacon, cheese, eggs, and tater tots of course. Throw in whatever veggies you have on hand or sub in sausage for bacon. Reviewer Chris has an extra tip: "After reading reviews I used extra tater tots, and smashed them down to use as a base which crisped nicely."

A twist on the beloved Sloppy Joe's, this tater tot recipes subs out the bun for a whole lot of tots. Reviewer Lisa Altmiller says, "This was a nice and easy weeknight meal. The kids loved it and so did the grown-ups! The recipe as-is would feed a family of 4 with no leftovers. Next time I will double it, so we can have larger portions."

A beautiful blend of the best flavors of a BBQ pork sandwich and Tex-Mex tacos, atop a bed of crispy, pillow tater tots. Totchos are fun for the whole family, and we promise there won't be anything left at the end of dinner if you're serving these.

This dish is a twist on Shepard's Pie and a fan favorite for many families who put their own spin on it based on what their family likes. Reviewer Morgmom says, "This was a great recipe!!! It was so easy to make and even my 14 month old loved it! I did add a little garlic just because we love it, and I followed the suggestion in previous reviews; I mixed the soup and milk into the ground beef instead of pouring it over — the tots were very crispy this way!"

This simple but satisfying dish is easy to put together and perfect for a big brunch — it serves eight. Many have taken the liberty to add to this basic building block dish. Reviewer PitterPatter says, "My family loved this! Doubled the recipe and had it Christmas morning," she says, "Mixed all ingredients together instead of layering - found that works better."

This breakfast version of totchos really brings the heat with andouille sausage and pickled jalapeños. It's also poutine-like with the sausage gravy. Add scrambled eggs if you don't like sunny side up, or if you are spice adverse, sub in regular sausage and take out the jalapeños. 

Tater tots serve as the top crust in this riff on chicken pot pie that is still filled with all the ingredients that make this homestyle comfort food. Reviewr Mary718 says, "The tater tots turn this from regular chicken pot pie into something special." She goes on to say, "This warmed me up through and through on a freezing cold night.

Who needs tots on the side when you can have them on your sandwich? Sweet potato tots (you could use regular as well) make an appearance in this decadent and spicy grilled cheese made with Sriracha Gouda cheese. If you can't find it, regular sriracha paired with Gouda cheese works well. Kale adds in some greens, and bacon adds some additional saltiness.

You'll want to use the flatter tots for these sliders which serve as buns in this cute appetizer. Make mini burgers like you would for any sliders and top them with your favorite condiments — ketchup, mustard, mayo — and baby gherkins. We are sure they'll be the hit of any party!

All the incredible flavor of loaded potato skins, but with a bit less effort — you just have to bake the tots. Use this recipe as a template for cooking your loaded tots, but get creative with your toppings for your next dinner, movie night, or home tailgate.

For people who take poutine very seriously, you'll have to shade your eyes for this fun take on the iconic Canadian dish. Instead of fries, you'll use crispy baked tots. "The crispy tots hold up well to the gravy, plus the name is fun to say," says recipe creator sonjagroset.

Tater tots don't always have to come frozen in a bag; you can actually make your own! And if you need your own for one of the earlier recipes, this is a good homemade tater tot recipe to try. Reviewer Nickie Chouinard says, "Amazzzzzing! Did I say amazing?!? I only made 1/2 the batch to make sure it was good and next time I will double the batch and freeze. Not only were they good, but extremely easy to make."