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.
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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 tater tot casserole.
How to Make Jalapeno Popper Casserole
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 Casserole Recipe
This easy Jalapeno Popper Tater Tot Casserole is made with jalapeno peppers, cream cheese, tater tots, cheese, and bacon. It can be used as a delicious side dish recipe at the holidays or a hearty appetizer recipe at parties.
Ingredients:
- 16 ounces cream cheese (two 8 ounce packages), 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
- 2 pound 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.
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 with Tater Tots
Jalapeno Popper Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese (two 8 ounce packages) 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
- 2 pounds bag of tater tots
- 6 green onions thinly sliced
Instructions
- 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, 1 1/2 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 Tater Tot 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
Easy Jalapeno Popper Dip Recipe
Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Jalapeno Popper Crescent Rolls
Quick Jalapeno Popovers Recipe
Jalapeño Popper Macaroni and Cheese
More Casserole Recipes
Buffalo Ranch Chicken Casserole
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Susan says
I added chicken to make it a main dish. Made a Caesar salad with it. It was very good, but will add cubed ham next time. Saw a comment to salt and pepper the tater tots before adding the top mixture. I agree. It reminded me of Loaded Baked Potatoes.
Cathy Altice says
HOW DO you eat this? Do you dip crackers or something into it?
Alea Milham says
Originally, I served it as a side dish. However, many people like to eat it as a dip.
Jennifer Tucker says
I make this all the time for events and I almost always take home empty casserole dishes. It’s a real crowd pleaser! I have made a couple mods that I’d like to share and some extra suggestions.
-Regular tater tots work fine.
-Greek yogurt works great as a sour cream sub.
-I usually use 9 or 10 jalapeños, deseeded of course. The mix will still stay together.
-Sometimes I forget to put the cream cheese on the counter to warm up when I get started. Instead of waiting, I throw everything in a stand mixer and let the bread hook do the work.
-Instead of a casserole dish, I split everything between 2 pie pans. I’ll save a jalapeno to cut and decorate the pies. For Christmas this year, I made a little Christmas tree out of thin jalapeno strips. Super cute.
-Using the pie pans method also lets me take this amazing casserole to 2 events – it does just fine with assembly on day 1, refrigerating overnight, and cooking/serving on day 2.
Thank you so much to the author for publishing this recipe! I’ve been making this at least once a year for the past many years.
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!
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
Debbie says
My hubby loved it, and it was easy to make.
Ang says
Can’t wait to try this as so many other have said. My hubs and lil man love tater tot casserole for dinner so I think next time I make it I’ll make this as the top. I think my mouth is already watering. Thanks for sharing!!!!
Jennifer says
These were delicious. I made the recipe exactly as written. Served with a German apple oven pancake as a playful hashbrown side. Thank you for sharing, we’ll make these again and again!
Roxie says
Tried this tonight snd my honey loved it. He was afraid it was going to be hot, but it had no heat. Will make again. Thanks for recipe.
Alee says
Could you add ground beef to this?
Alea Milham says
Yes, you can cook the ground beef before adding it to the dish.
Amber says
I’ve been making this for a while and just wanted to let you know it’s one of my favorite recipes ever! My mother-in-law thought it was a little weird when I made it last time she visited but told me she owed me an apology after she tried it because it was amazing! 😂 I just found your crescent ring and can’t wait to try that next!!!
Malisha Mishel says
That’s a great idea! My son will love this Casserole for sure. I will try to cook, but, don’t know how it will! Nevertheless, I will try my best! Thank you so much, Alea, for sharing such a superb idea! 🙂
Jon C Hopkins says
Great recipe…. Family and friends love it and ask me to make it Everytime we get together.
Thank you for sharing
Rachel says
Amazing
Sarah says
Would it work to make it two layered? Like have extra tater tots cooked already and do the layer in the bottom, then put the dip in, then layer more tots, and then make extra dip to put on top?
Katie says
Do you make this as a dip? If so, what do you dip it with?
Alea Milham says
You can make it as a hearty dip if you wish. Sever it with sturdy chips, scoop-like chips, sturdy vegetables like carrots or celery or pieces of bread.
Brandy says
Made it tonight for the first time – Yummy!!
Katy says
Do you serve this with chips or by itself? It looks delicious!
Christine says
Omg amazing party hit!
Party of 12 not a drop left.
5☆☆☆☆☆
Sandy Frank says
My hubs loves chorizo so I’m thinking of adding it to this recipe — has anyone tried this? I’m just worried because chorizo renders with a LOT of grease. I would fry it first, of course, but still not sure. What the heck, I’ll give it a try and let you know how it goes.
Misha Slaven-Hunter says
I would love to hear how it turns out! I think if the chorizo was drained well after frying it would not be too greasy.
Linda says
Is this a side dish or an appetrizer?
Alea Milham says
I usually serve it as a side dish, but it can be served as a hearty dip if you wish.
Roxanna says
Amazing recipe! Was craving something spicy and hit the spot. Used crumbled bacon pieces and topped with pepper jack. Yummm
Sherry says
Do you know if you can freeze jalapeno popper casserole?
Debbie says
I’m wondering the same thing. Made it last night but it’s only my daughter and I. Could I freeze 1/2 of it. I used cauliflower taters to make it.
Alea Milham says
Yes, you can freeze it.
Brandi says
Would you thaw this out before cooking if you freeze it?
Alea Milham says
I would. But you can put it in frozen and cover it with foil so the top doesn’t get torched while you are waiting for it to cook through. Take off the foil when the casserole is mostly heated through. This will add 30 – 45 minutes to the cooking time.
Tracie says
Our family loves this recipe! But the only problem we have is that the jalapeños are still crunchy even after its done cooking.. Is it supposed to be that way?
Diane says
I use pickled jalapenos. Easier to work with and not crunchy!!!
Charlene Keck says
I’ve made this twice now. Delicious!!! I was thinking about serving the dip all by itself. I don’t see any reason to cook it. Serve cold with Ritz crackers. I gave my husband a taste, he loved it. What do you think?
K.D. Hudson says
Could you make this a day ahead and finish cooking next day?
Alea Milham says
Make the dip portion the day before and then assemble and bake the day you want to serve it.
Bonnie Schaffer says
Could you make the Jalapeno Popper Tater Tot Casserole ahead then freeze it and heat it in the microwave?
Alea Milham says
I have never tried it, so I am not sure.
Karen avalos says
I made this for a gathering last night. Oh my goodness it as was a hugh hit!! Everyone loved it and it was so easy to make!! Needless to say this will be the recipe that will be requested at all family gatherings!
Angela kots says
was amazing I will be making it again thank you so much.. family loved it!!
Annemarie says
This looks amazing! Can you half the recipe? How long would I cook it for?
Lori says
Yes, I halved everything and it was still very good. Same cooking time even with half.
Dee Dee (My Midlife Kitchen) says
Holy cow!!! This looks ah-mazing–and so darned simple! I’ve shared with my followers, and I just know they’ll be eating this up (literally and figuratively)!!
Melissa says
Oh wow! This looks incredible!
Cydnee says
I personally pinned this yummy recipe. This sounds so delicious! Thank you for joining us at #purebloglove. We enjoy having you every Thursday night at 8PM, EST through Sunday night. ~Cydnee
Felissa says
Oh, my, yum!
I would love it if you hopped over to share with us at Inspire Us Tuesday!
http://twolittlecavaliers.com/2015/01/inspire-us-tuesdays-bring-hot-soup.html
Nettie Moore says
Congratulations Alea! Your Jalapeno Popper Casserole has been featured at our Simple Supper Tuesday Linky Party at Moore or Less Cooking!! Nettie
LINK: http://mooreorlesscooking.com/2015/01/26/simple-supper-tuesday-linky-party-46/
Becky at Cooking with Vinyl says
This looks awesome! I’m a new food blogger and found you on the Girl Creative link party. I’ve followed your social sites and hope we can connect on those. Can’t wait to read more of your blog. Becky
Nikki says
Pinned! Thanks for sharing. Found you on Lou Lou Girls!
Rose @ Walnut Acre says
This makes my mouth water just looking at it! Pinned for future reference.
Sandra says
Is this a 9 x 13″ pan? It sounds like something my guys would love. Thank you!
Alea Milham says
Yes, it is a 9 x 13 baking dish. I hope you enjoy this Jalapeno Popper Casserole!
Teresa says
Does 6 peppers make it really hot? I’m a little nervous about it being to hot.
Alea Milham says
If you remove the seeds, it will not be hot at all.
Sheryl Salvato says
I made for my Nephew and I. He says iis one of his new faces. It wasn’t hot at all. The cream cheese & sour cream really mellow them out. I used 1 1/2 boxes of the cream cheese & was even considering using a little more jalapeños. Great recipe we’re sure to eat again !!
Tracy says
have you ever added shredded chicken? thinking about making it for dinner but my husband insists on more protein!
Alea Milham says
Shredded chicken works well in this recipe.
Lori Hart says
Get in my belly!! This looks wonderful. I found your recipe over at the Inspire Me Tuesday link party. I host Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesday and would love it if you would come over and share this recipe. I’m sure our party goers would love it! Here is the link http://bit.ly/1xR7OkE. Have a wonderful day!