I wanted to create an epic side dish for a Game Day Party. I combined the elements of a casserole and a dip together to create this Jalapeno Popper Casserole Recipe.
I took my Jalapeno Popper Dip Recipe and altered it a bit and then layered it over tater tots to create an incredibly delicious and slightly addictive Jalapeno Popper Tater Tot Casserole!
The great thing about this Jalapeno Popper Casserole Recipe is that it is perfect as a hearty game day appetizer, a potluck side dish, or a fun brunch recipe. Really you can make up any excuse, and we have, to serve this jalapeno popper casserole.
Jalapeno Popper Casserole Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 – 8 oz packages of cream cheese, softened at room temperature.
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups Mexican Cheddar Jack Shredded Cheese, divided
- 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 6 Jalapeno Peppers, deseeded and diced
- 1 – 2 lb. bag of tater tots
- 6 green onions, thinly sliced
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Line a casserole dish with tater tots. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.
- While the tater tots are baking, cook bacon, blot fat away, and crumble into small pieces. Dice the peppers and slice the onions.
- In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, 1½ cups of Cheddar jack cheese, bacon (save a little bit for the topping), diced Jalapeno peppers, and most of the sliced onions (save a few for the top). Stir to thoroughly combine ingredients.
- Spread the jalapeno mixture over the top of the tater tots.
- Top with remaining ½ cup of cheese. Sprinkle the extra bacon pieces and onion slices over the top.
- Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.
To make this Jalapeno Popper Casserole recipe, you first layer tater tots in a casserole dish. Then bake them for 15 minutes at 425 degrees.
While the tater tots are baking, cook the bacon. Then mix the Jalapeno Popper Dip ingredients together. After you pull the tater tots out of the oven, spread the Jalapeno Popper Dip mixture over the tater tots.
Then sprinkle cheese over the Jalapeno Popper Dip layer. Top with the remaining bacon and green onions. Bake for 20 minutes at 425 degrees. Serve while still warm.
Jalapeno Popper Tater Tot Casserole Variations
Add 2 cups of cooked chicken to make a Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole as I did in this Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole recipe with pasta.
Add 2 cups of browned hamburger to make Jalapeno Popper Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole.
If you add chicken or hamburger, you can serve the casserole as a meal, though I would recommend serving it with a salad to add some more greens to your dinner.
Printable Recipe for Jalapeno Popper Casserole
- 2 - 8 oz packages of cream cheese, softened at room temperature.
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups Mexican Cheddar Jack Shredded Cheese, divided
- 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 6 Jalapeno Peppers, deseeded and diced
- 1 - 2 lb. bag of tater tots
- 6 green onions, thinly sliced
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Line a casserole dish with tater tots. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.
- While the tater tots are baking, cook bacon, blot fat away, and crumble into small pieces. Dice the peppers and slice the onions.
- In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, 1½ cups of Cheddar jack cheese, bacon (save a little bit for the topping), diced Jalapeno peppers, and most of the sliced onions (save a few for the top). Stir to thoroughly combine ingredients.
- Spread the jalapeno mixture over the top of the tater tots.
- Top with remaining ½ cup of cheese. Sprinkle the extra bacon pieces and onion slices over the top.
- Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.
My friend Mandi of Moments with Mandi made a video of her making this Jalapeno Popper Casserole. She is sharing it with us, so you can see how easy it is to make.
For more Easy Recipe Videos, Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here!
More Jalapeno Popper Recipes
Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole
Jalapeno Popper Potato Salad Recipe
Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Jalapeno Popper Crescent Rolls
Danica Ristic says
can I add eggs to this recipe? how many?
Ruth Peters says
I’m trying this recipe tonight. I was wondering if I could put the recipe together, and bake it tonight…
AJ says
We stuff our poppers with sausage and cheese so I changed things up a bit! I browned a pound of spicy sausage and drained some frozen spinach which I added to the cheese mixture. I put the cheese and meat mixture in the pan first and then topped with the tater tots (so they would crisp up) before I baked the casserole. Delicious!
Deanna says
Has anyone tried it as make-ahead and frozen it? Just not sure how the cream cheese will do on the freeze and defrost.
Nancy says
To cut calories do u think u could use Greek yogurt?
Instead of 2 cream cheese use 1 cream cheese and 8 oz yogurt??
Alea Milham says
It will change the flavor slightly, but it will work.
Karen Roullet says
Found this recipe near the top results of my Google search. I wanted something warm and appropriate for a post run “pre game tailgate party”. Got compliments all-around and several requests for the recipe 😊 I actually forgot to add the sour cream so I used it as a topping…and wanted it vegetarian so I used Gardein Ground B’ef, which cooked to make a nice texture somewhat similar to bacon (?) I used a mixer for the cream cheese blend to make it easier on my arm. Thank you for such a great recipe!
Barbara says
I am making today in the morning. I plan to take it to potluck in the afternoon of same day. Will that be okay?
Alea Milham says
Yes. You may want to reheat it before serving the casserole.
Jenny says
What size casserole dish should you use?
Alea Milham says
I usually use a 13×9 dish, but sometimes I use a slightly smaller casserole dish.
Old Cowboy Camp Cook says
Love this but don’t forget to salt and pepper your tots while baking