Weeknight dinners can often feel like a chore, especially when you’re trying to balance taste, speed, and something the whole family will enjoy. If you’re on the hunt for Simple Dinner Ideas For Family that are guaranteed to be a hit, look no further than the classic Tater Tot Casserole. This dish is not only incredibly easy to make but also a comforting and satisfying meal that both kids and adults will love.
Tater Tot Casserole – An easy and delicious dinner idea for family, featuring golden brown tater tots and creamy chicken filling.
This recipe is inspired by a childhood favorite, updated with wholesome ingredients for today’s family. It’s a fantastic option for busy weeknights when you need a flavorful and fuss-free meal on the table quickly. Forget complicated recipes and lengthy cooking times – this tater tot casserole is your secret weapon for stress-free dinners.
Why Tater Tot Casserole is a Perfect Simple Dinner Idea
Casseroles, often called “hot dish” in the Midwest, have long been a go-to for families seeking budget-friendly and convenient meals. Originating from resourceful home cooks, these one-dish wonders are all about simplicity and satisfaction. This Tater Tot Casserole recipe embodies those qualities, making it an ideal choice for your family’s dinner rotation.
What makes this recipe stand out as a simple dinner idea for family?
- Quick Preparation: With minimal prep time, you can have this casserole ready for the oven in just about 15 minutes.
- Kid-Friendly Appeal: Tater tots! Need we say more? The crispy, golden tater tots are undeniably kid-approved, making dinner time a breeze.
- Versatile and Customizable: Easily adapt this recipe to your family’s preferences and dietary needs. Swap proteins, add vegetables, or change up the cheese – the possibilities are endless.
- Budget-Friendly: Utilizing common pantry staples and affordable ingredients, this casserole is a cost-effective way to feed your family a delicious and filling meal.
- Comfort Food Classic: There’s something inherently comforting about a warm and cheesy casserole. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table and creates a cozy family atmosphere.
Let’s Make Tater Tot Casserole: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to create this simple dinner masterpiece? Here’s what you’ll need:
Kitchen Essentials:
- Small bowl
- Casserole dish (8×8 inch recommended)
- Mixing spoons
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Garlic salt, to taste
- 1 cup sour cream (light or regular)
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 ½ – 2 lbs frozen tater tots
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions:
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Sauté the Chicken: Begin by heating olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken breasts and season generously with garlic salt. Sauté until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink. Remove from heat.
Sautéing chicken for tater tot casserole – a simple step in creating a flavorful base for family dinner. -
Prepare the Creamy Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and milk until smooth. Pour this mixture over the cooked chicken in the skillet. Add ¾ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese to the chicken mixture and stir well to combine everything evenly.
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Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the chicken and cheese mixture to an 8×8 inch baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer. Arrange a single layer of frozen tater tots over the creamy chicken base, covering the entire surface. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots.
Assembling tater tot casserole – layering tater tots over creamy chicken for an easy family dinner recipe. -
Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Bake the tater tot casserole for 20-25 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the chicken mixture is bubbly and heated through.
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Serve and Enjoy: Let the casserole cool slightly before serving. This Tater Tot Casserole is delicious on its own, or you can pair it with a simple side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete and balanced family meal.
Tater Tot Casserole Recipe Card
If you loved this simple dinner idea for family as much as we do, be sure to give it a five-star review below! And don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends and family on Facebook and Pinterest!
Print Recipe
Tater Tot Casserole
This Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate simple dinner idea for family. It’s easy to prepare, kid-friendly, and packed with comforting flavors.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Tater Tot Casserole, Simple Dinner Ideas for Family
Servings: 4
Calories: 698kcal
Author: Brittany
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Garlic salt to taste
- 1 cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 ½-2 lbs frozen tater tots
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix sour cream and milk together. Set aside.
- Sauté chicken in 1 tbsp olive oil. Season with garlic salt. As soon as the chicken is cooked through, remove from heat.
- Pour sour cream mixture and ¾ cup of cheese over chicken. Mix well.
- Pour into an 8×8 baking dish.
- Add a single layer of frozen tater tots over the creamy chicken mixture. Top with remaining ¼ cup cheese.
- Bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 20 minutes, until tots are golden brown and chicken mixture is bubbling.
Video
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Nutrition
Calories: 698kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 134mg | Sodium: 1089mg | Potassium: 1005mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 710IU | Vitamin C: 14.6mg | Calcium: 318mg | Iron: 1.6mg
This Tater Tot Casserole recipe truly has it all: it’s quick, incredibly easy to make, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, making it one of the best simple dinner ideas for family you can find!
