Description
This Cheesy Tater Tot Meatloaf Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish that combines classic meatloaf flavors with crispy tater tots and a cheesy topping. Perfect for a family dinner, it’s baked to perfection with a flavorful ketchup and barbecue sauce glaze, topped with a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheese for a deliciously gooey finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Mixture
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
- 30 Ritz crackers, crushed
- 2 oz Lipton onion soup mix
- 2 large eggs
Sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup Sweet Baby Ray’s Hickory & Brown Sugar barbecue sauce
Topping
- 24 oz frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Sauce: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small bowl, combine the ketchup and Sweet Baby Ray’s Hickory & Brown Sugar barbecue sauce, mixing them well. Set this sauce mixture aside for later use.
- Prepare the Meatloaf Mixture: In a large bowl, mix together the lean ground beef, crushed Ritz crackers, Lipton onion soup mix, and eggs. Use your hands to combine everything thoroughly until the mixture is well blended.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Press the prepared meatloaf mixture evenly into the dish to form a uniform layer. Spread the reserved ketchup and barbecue sauce mixture evenly over the top of the meatloaf layer.
- Add Tater Tots and Cheese: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the sauce. Then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend evenly on top of the tater tots.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 35 minutes covered, then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 40 minutes, or until the meatloaf is fully cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes to set. Slice into portions and serve hot. Enjoy your comforting and cheesy tater tot meatloaf casserole!
Notes
- Make sure to use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat.
- The crushed Ritz crackers act as a binder, but you can substitute with breadcrumbs if preferred.
- If you want extra crispy tater tots, you can broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes after baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Feel free to add diced onions or bell peppers into the meat mixture for extra flavor and texture.
