Tater Tot Casserole Without Meat

My easy tater tot casserole without meat is cozy, cheesy, and loaded with veggies in every bite! I make it with cream of mushroom soup for a simple but rich egg bake that my whole family loves.

My Easy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

The first time I made my tater tot casserole without meat was for a Saturday morning when my parents were coming over to visit. I know my mom had been cutting back on meat, so I wanted to make her something good for vegetarians that my meat-eating dad and husband Ben would still love.

My daughter Leah was in the kitchen when I realized we didn’t have any frozen hash browns, which I’d been planning to use to bulk up an egg bake. She came up beside me, looked in the freezer with me, and said, “Mom, why don’t you just use the tater tots?”

I couldn’t believe I’d never thought of that before! After all, tater tots are just tube-shaped hashbrowns. That was all the inspiration I needed to throw together a hearty, cheesy casserole!

Breakfast was a hit with everyone, and now it’s my go-to when I’m hosting brunch or need a dish that can feed a crowd without much stress. I’ve made plenty of casseroles with sausage or bacon, but I love how this vegetarian version still feels hearty and flavorful.

And, for more tater tot recipes, try my recipes for loaded tater tots, tater tot casserole with green beans, taco tater tot casserole, air fryer tater tots, and chicken tater tot casserole.

Tater Tot Casserole With No Meat Ingredients

• Eggs – I whisk in eggs for structure and protein. Room temperature eggs always mix more smoothly into the base.
• Sour cream – This adds creaminess and a little tang. I sometimes swap in Greek yogurt if that’s what I have in the fridge.
• Cream of mushroom soup – This brings in richness and extra flavor. If I want a lighter taste, I use cream of celery instead.
• Frozen peas and carrots – I like the convenience, plus they give the casserole color and a touch of sweetness.
• Onion – Diced onion adds a savory base flavor that ties everything together.
• Red bell pepper – This gives a little crunch and a nice pop of color in the filling.
• Seasoning – Salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder add balance, smokiness, and depth.
• Frozen tater tots – The star of the show! I let them thaw a little before layering them so they bake up extra crispy.
• Shredded cheddar cheese – I use sharp cheddar for bold flavor, but I’ll switch it up with Monterey Jack or Gruyère when I want something different.

How to Make Tater Tot Casserole without Meat

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking dish.

STEP TWO: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sour cream, and cream of mushroom soup until it’s smooth. Whisk in salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper.

STEP THREE: Fold in the bell pepper, onion, peas and carrots, and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese.

STEP FOUR: Pour the egg mixture into the prepared baking dish and arrange the tater tots in a single layer on top.

STEP FIVE: Bake the casserole uncovered for 50–55 minutes until the eggs are set in the center and the tater tots are golden brown.

STEP SIX: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese over the top and bake for 3-5 minutes more until the cheese is melted.

Tips for the Best Vegetarian Tater Tot Casserole

• Room temperature eggs mix more easily with the sour cream for a base that’s smooth and creamy. I let the eggs sit on the counter for about half an hour.
• For maximum cheesy goodness, I add the cheese in two layers. This gives the casserole a rich flavor on the inside, plus a melty, bubbly top.
• I check doneness with a knife in the center of the casserole. If it comes out clean without liquid egg, I know the casserole is ready!
• Letting the casserole rest in the baking dish for at least 5 minutes allows it to set. This gives me nice, clean slices.

Tater Tot Casserole Recipe Variations and Substitutions

• If I want a lighter flavor, I’ll use cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom.
• I sometimes add diced green beans with the other veggies when I want more greens in the casserole.
• For extra richness, I’ll quickly sauté mushrooms in olive oil in a pan and then add them to the casserole with the rest of the veggies.
• When I want a different cheesy flavor, I’ll swap out some or all of the sharp cheddar for Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or a mix of cheeses.
• To give the casserole some extra sweetness and texture, I’ll add frozen corn with the frozen peas and carrots.
• If I am serving the dish and want to add some meat to it, I add in already-cooked ground sausage, ground beef, or crumbled up bacon. Meat alternatives work great in it too!

What to Serve with a Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

When I’m making a breakfast spread for a crowd, I’ll usually whip up some bacon, sausage links, or sausage patties for anyone who wants to add some meaty protein.

If I want something sweet to balance out the savory casserole, I love making monkey bread, cinnamon rolls, and Bisquick coffee cake!

Tater Tot Casserole Without Meat FAQs

Can I make a tater tot casserole recipe ahead of time?

Yes! I assemble the casserole until just before the tater tots are put on top, cover it tightly, and keep it in the fridge overnight. The next day, I just top it with tater tots and bake it as usual, adding about 10 minutes to the cooking time since it starts cold.

How to store leftovers

I let my casserole fully cool, then either cover the baking dish in aluminum foil or slice and store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They keep well for about 3 to 4 days.

Can I freeze my tater tot breakfast casserole?

Yes, I freeze extra slices of casserole all the time! I portion leftovers into freezer-safe containers or freezer bags and store them for up to 3 months.

How should I reheat my tater tot casserole with no meat?

I reheat my leftover casserole in the oven at 350 degrees F until warmed through, which gets the tater tots nice and crispy again. When I’m in a hurry, I’ll microwave a slice in 30-second intervals until hot, but it doesn’t stay as crisp.

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