Meatball Tater Tot Casserole (Oven Recipe) - Recipes That Crock! (2024)

FAQs

Why is my Tater Tot casserole soggy? ›

Why is my tater tot casserole soggy? If your casserole is soggy, it's likely either because there was too much moisture or it has not baked long enough. Be sure to sauté the onions thoroughly, and bake until the filling is bubbly.

However, as a general guideline, you can cook frozen meatballs in the oven for about 20-25 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Make sure to check the internal temperature of the meatballs using a meat thermometer to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

The best side dishes to serve with tater tot casserole are blooming onion, blistered tomatoes, Korean corn dogs, potato rosti, coconut shrimp, cucumber salad, mozzarella sticks, collard greens, quinoa salad, grilled asparagus, sweet cornbread, loaded baked potato, spinach and strawberry salad, fried rice, and zucchini ...

Tater tots – Use frozen tater tots straight from the freezer without thawing first, this stops them from overcooking in the oven. Sour cream – I love adding sour cream for extra tang and flavor it's the perfect combination with scallions, cheese and potato.

To prevent a soggy top and a firm or crunchy bottom, it's important to use a shallow baking dish, to cook the casserole at the correct oven temperature and for the appropriate amount of time, and to be mindful of the amount of liquid used in the recipe.

In an oven preheated to 350 degrees F, these meatballs should be fully cooked through and evenly browned in about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the middle of the meatball should read at least 165 degrees F.

Baking them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes should do it. I bake turkey meatballs for 15 minutes, and bake beef/pork ones for 20–25 minutes to ensure they're cooked through. If you need the drippings to make your sauce, you can scraped them out of the broiler pan bottom.

No, you do not have to thaw frozen meatballs before cooking them in sauce. In fact, cooking them frozen can help them hold their shape better. Here are some tips for cooking frozen meatballs in sauce: Heat your sauce of choice in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

But, while anything baked in a casserole can be called a casserole, the Midwestern preparation known as "hotdish" is much more specific. A hotdish always consists of meat, vegetables, a starch, and sauce—it's not a side dish, but an entire meal unto itself.

How long can you keep a Tater Tot casserole out? ›

TWO HOURS is the MAXIMUM time perishable foods should be at room temperature (ONE HOUR at temperatures 90 degrees F and higher). This INCLUDES the time they're on the table during your meal.

Yes, you can freeze tater tot casserole – but it's best to freeze it before cooking. Assemble the casserole according to the recipe but, instead of baking it, wrap the whole thing in storage wrap. Wrap it again in aluminum foil. Freeze the casserole for up to four months, then bake it according to the recipe.

Toss chives with tots. Season with salt and pepper. Play with other seasonings... parmesan, chili powder, garlic salt..

If you notice that the date on the frozen food package has already passed, you may be wondering if that food is still safe to eat. The good news is that you can eat frozen food that has passed its expiration date — although in some cases, the flavor, color, or texture may have decreased in quality (1).

Load 'em up like a baked potato

First, bake or air fry your tots until crispy and golden. If you're cooking for a group, aim to prepare around 10 to 12 tots per person — more if folks are hungry.

Frozen hash browns will leak moisture during cooking, which could leave a soggy, sad mess behind. For the best results, let the frozen hash browns thaw overnight in the fridge, then thoroughly pat them dry to remove as much moisture as possible before cooking them to crispy.

Brush/mist each tot with olive oil, be generous. Transfer to the oven and bake 10-12 minutes, slide a spatula underneath the tots, then flip and bake 10 more minutes. Flip once to the uncooked side, bake 10-12 minutes, until golden and crisp.

Pro Tip: Avoid Dry Casserole.

The best way to prevent it from drying out is to add a little bit of water, around ¼ cup, to the top of it. Allow the water to seep between the food and the sides of the baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil to seal in the moisture.

For extra crispy tater tots, you can lightly spray them with cooking spray or drizzle some oil over them before baking. If you're short on time, you can increase the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and reduce the cooking time by a few minutes.