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Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole

Beef, Dorm Cooking, Main Dish, Western

This Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole is comfort food for the meat and potato lover. It is warm, delicious, satisfying, and so easy to prepare.

This Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole is comfort food for the meat and potato lover. It is warm, delicious, satisfying, and so easy to prepare. | RotiNRice.com #meatballs #tatertot #casseroles #meatballrecipes

The weather turns cold pretty rapidly here in Minnesota. This week has been rainy which made it feel even colder. The days are shorter and by 5:30pm to 6:00pm, it is already dark. ‘Tis the season for casseroles and this Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole is a good place to start. Turning on the oven is a win-win situation – the food is cooked and the kitchen gets warm. Definitely the way to go.

Comfort Food

Years ago I probably would not have appreciated this dish but having lived in this state for a decade, I now understand why the folks here love their meat, potatoes, and cheese. It is the stuff that keeps the body warm and the kitchen smelling good when you step in the front door from the cold. It truly is comfort food for the body and the soul.

Piping hot Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole fresh out of the oven.

Easy Peasy Dish with Store Bought Ingredients

The best thing about this dish is that it is easy to prepare. You can certainly make your own meatballs but I use both store bought meatballs and tater tots. The white sauce is cooked from scratch using the exact same recipe as the one found in this Green Bean Casserole. It is a sauce that works well in many dishes and I make it frequently. You can experiment and change out the dried herbs to give it a slightly different flavor. Thyme is my favorite and so I stayed with it.

Similar Products Used in Making This Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy here.

Emile Henry Deep Flan, Provence Yellow Quiche Dish, 1.2 qt
Le Creuset Stoneware 1.45-Quart Tart Dish, Marseille
Round Quiche, Fine White Porcelain, 10 x 1.5-Inches

This Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole is comfort food for the meat and potato lover. It is warm, delicious, satisfying, and so easy to prepare. | RotiNRice.com #meatballs #tatertot #casseroles #meatballrecipes

Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole

This Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole is comfort food for the meat and potato lover. It is warm, delicious, satisfying, and so easy to prepare.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 487kcal
Author: Linda Ooi

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 lb meatballs (450g)
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • ¼ tsp dried thyme
  • 2 cups milk (480ml)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp ground pepper
  • 1 lb frozen tater tots (450g)
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (4 oz/113g)

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Place meatballs in a single layer in a casserole dish. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 20 minutes. While meatballs are in the oven, cook the sauce.
  • Melt butter over low heat in a medium sized saucepan. Sauté onion and garlic for 2 minutes until soft. Add flour and stir constantly until mixture starts to brown, about 3 minutes.
  • Stir in dried thyme. Gradually pour in milk whisking or stirring into a smooth bubbly sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Turn off stove.
  • Remove meatballs from oven. Pour sauce over meatballs. Arrange frozen tater tots on the top. Return casserole to the oven and continue to bake for 25 minutes.
  • Again remove casserole from oven and sprinkle shredded cheese on the top. Return to the oven and continue to bake for another 5 minutes.

NUTRITION

Calories: 487kcal
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Warning – The Cheesy Meatball Tater Tot Casserole is Piping Hot

Be sure to warn the kids that this casserole is piping hot straight out of the oven. You don’t want them to scald their mouths. Other than that, sit back, relax, enjoy your meal, and stay warm. 🙂

Warm, delicious, and satisfying meatballs and tater tots.

Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! 😎

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Comments

  4. Simon (BBQ Bastard) says

    Hey Linda,

    what a great idea! My kids will love this combination! I think I’ll add some vegetables too! This looks like a fantastic one pot recipe to make for my own blog! I’ll save it as inspiration so I can link back to yours if I’m allowed to?

    Cheers!
    Simon.

    Reply

    • Linda says

      Thank you, Valentine! I’ve made this several times and we totally enjoyed it each time. Best of all it is so easy to prepare.

      Reply

  10. Isabelle @ Crumb says

    Tater Tots are one of my favourite guilty pleasures… but combining them with meatballs and a creamy white sauce, and then topping the whole thing with melty cheese? Oh my gosh. Talk about total comfort food heaven!

    Reply

    • Linda says

      Thanks Isabelle! I seldom buy tater tots except for this dish. A little convenience is necessary especially on busy days. 😉

      Reply

    • Linda says

      Thank you, Julie! I have been cooking more American food lately and my youngest son is delighted that he gets to eat some “classics” at home. It’s been a while. Hope all is well with you. 🙂

      Reply

    • Linda says

      You are welcome and thank you for visiting, Sara. This casserole is simple yet delicious and satisfying. I hope you get to make it soon. 🙂

      Reply

  18. Michele says

    4 stars
    Very good & easy to make. I may add a little more milk next time to make the onion/garlic mixture a little less thick. Or, could not add as much flour for thickening.

    Reply