Cheesy Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
Hey foodies! Ready for a flavor-packed journey? Dive into our Cheesy Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole, a game-changer in the world of comfort food. Imagine layers of savory goodness—juicy ground beef, crispy bacon, and melty cheddar cheese, all coming together in a one-pan wonder. And guess what? It's OAMC-friendly, so you can prep it once and savor it whenever. Picture this: frozen tater tots, a dash of ranch seasoning, and a creamy blend of sour cream and milk. Top it off with more cheese and, of course, bacon for that extra crunch. Trust us, this casserole is a crowd-pleaser that turns hectic days into stress free meals. So, why wait? Let's cook up some comfort together and make mealtime extraordinary! BTW- Just add sausage for a breakfast casserole instead of hamburger!
Ingredients for Single 9x13 Casserole:
2 lbs. ground beef
1 package (32 oz) frozen tater tots
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 package (16 oz) bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup sour cream
1 packet ranch seasoning
1/2 cup whole milk
Salt and pepper to taste
OAMC Instructions:
Cook Ground Beef:
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown all the ground beef at once. Drain excess fat.
Cook Bacon:
While the ground beef is cooking, prepare the bacon according to the package instructions. Once cooked, crumble it into pieces.
Divide Ingredients:
Divide the cooked ground beef, frozen tater tots, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon (reserve half for later), sour cream, ranch seasoning, milk, salt, and pepper into the number of casseroles you intend to make.
Assemble Casseroles:
In each 9x13 casserole dish, layer the ingredients as follows:
Spread the cooked ground beef evenly.
Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the beef.
Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer.
Sprinkle half of the crumbled bacon over the tater tots.
In a bowl, mix together sour cream, ranch seasoning, and milk. Pour the mixture over the tater tots.
Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Finally, sprinkle the reserved half of crumbled bacon on top of the cheese.
Label and Wrap:
Label each casserole with the name and date. Wrap the casseroles securely with plastic wrap and then with aluminum foil.
Freeze:
Place the wrapped casseroles in the freezer. Casseroles can be stored for up to 3 months.
Thawing and Baking:
When ready to enjoy, thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Remove plastic wrap and re-cover with aluminum foil.
Bake for 40-45 minutes or until tater tots are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Sprinkle the remaining half of crumbled bacon over the casserole during the last 10 minutes of baking for added crunch.
Serve:
Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Reheating:
Reheat individual servings in the microwave or bake in the oven until warmed through.
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