Description
Hearty comfort meets cheesy tater tot meatloaf casserole in this irresistible dinner classic. Crispy potato tots crown a savory ground beef base, creating a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup real bacon bits
- 2 ounces (56 grams) Lipton onion soup mix
Base and Binding:
- 30 Ritz crackers, crushed
Sauce and Cheese:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup Sweet Baby Ray’s Hickory & Brown Sugar barbecue sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
Topping:
- 24 ounces (680 grams) frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine ground beef with crushed Ritz crackers, onion soup mix, eggs, ketchup, and barbecue sauce until well incorporated.
- Evenly spread the meat mixture across the prepared baking dish, creating a uniform layer.
- Carefully arrange tater tots in a precise single layer, covering the entire meat surface.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, allowing the meat to cook through and develop a rich flavor.
- After initial baking, carefully remove the dish and generously sprinkle shredded cheese across the tater tot layer.
- Distribute bacon bits evenly over the cheese to add extra crunch and smoky flavor.
- Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts completely and becomes golden and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5-7 minutes to allow the layers to set and cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Switch ground beef with lean turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a healthier protein option that reduces overall fat content.
- Crush gluten-free crackers instead of Ritz to make the recipe celiac-friendly and accommodate gluten sensitivities.
- Use low-sodium onion soup mix and reduced-fat cheese to cut down on salt and calories without compromising flavor.
- Sprinkle fresh chopped herbs like parsley or chives on top for added freshness and a pop of color that elevates the dish’s visual appeal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 635 kcal
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 1150 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg