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
Jalapeno Popper Tater Tot Casserole
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
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 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
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!