If you’re craving a dish that’s hearty, cheesy, and irresistibly comforting, look no further than this Cheesy Tater Tot Meatloaf Casserole. It’s a delicious fusion of classic meatloaf and crowd-favorite tater tot casserole, layered together and topped with melty cheese and crispy bacon bits. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any night when you need a satisfying, feel-good meal.

This casserole is a true flavor bomb—sweet and tangy barbecue glaze, savory meatloaf base, golden tater tots, and gooey cheese with a salty bacon finish. Plus, it feeds a crowd, is freezer-friendly, and delivers a full meal in one dish.

In this post, we’ll walk you through how to make Cheesy Tater Tot Meatloaf Casserole from scratch, tips for making it ahead, variation ideas, and answers to your most frequently asked questions.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Layered Comfort Food

Combines the nostalgic flavor of meatloaf with crispy tater tots and creamy cheese.

2. Feeds a Crowd

This 9×13-inch casserole can serve 6–8 people generously.

3. Perfect for Leftovers

Reheats like a dream and can even be frozen for a future meal.

4. Family-Friendly

Even picky eaters love the cheesy, crispy top and saucy meatloaf base.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Sauce:

1 cup ketchup
1 cup Sweet Baby Ray’s Hickory & Brown Sugar barbecue sauce

For the Meatloaf Base:

2 lbs lean ground beef
30 Ritz crackers, crushed (about 1 sleeve)
2 oz Lipton onion soup mix (1 envelope)

2 large eggs
1/2 cup of the BBQ-ketchup sauce

For the Topping:

24 oz frozen tater tots

2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
1/4 cup real bacon bits

How to Make Cheesy Tater Tot Meatloaf Casserole

Step 1: Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

In a small mixing bowl, stir together the ketchup and barbecue sauce until well combined. Set aside.

Step 3: Mix the Meatloaf

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, crushed Ritz crackers, Lipton onion soup mix, eggs, and 1/2 cup of the ketchup-BBQ sauce. Mix with your hands until everything is evenly distributed.

Step 4: Press and Layer

Press the meat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread the remaining BBQ-ketchup sauce evenly on top.

Step 5: Add the Toppings

Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the sauced meat mixture. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the tater tots, then top with real bacon bits.

Step 6: Bake

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 40 minutes, or until the meat is fully cooked and the tater tots are golden.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy the layers of flavor and texture in every bite.

Tips for Success

Use Lean Ground Beef: 85% lean works great for this recipe—it’s flavorful without being overly greasy.
Crush Crackers Finely: You can use a food processor or place them in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin.
Cheese It Up: Feel free to add extra cheese or a different blend like Colby Jack or pepper jack.

Make It Spicy: Add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the meat mixture or BBQ glaze for a kick.

Make-Ahead and Storage

To Make Ahead:

Assemble the casserole completely and cover tightly. Store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Bake as directed, adding an extra 10 minutes if it’s going into the oven cold.

Storage:

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To Freeze:

Wrap the unbaked or baked (and cooled) casserole in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking or reheating.

Variations to Try

Different Meats: Try using ground turkey or a beef/pork blend.

Add Veggies: Mix in grated zucchini, shredded carrots, or diced bell peppers for added nutrition.
Change the Sauce: Swap BBQ sauce for marinara or buffalo sauce for a twist.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free crackers and ensure all other ingredients (like soup mix) are certified gluten-free.

What to Serve With It

Green Salad: A fresh salad balances the richness.
Steamed Veggies: Broccoli, green beans, or peas are great options.
Dinner Rolls: Use them to mop up any extra sauce.

Pickles or Coleslaw: For a tangy contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of tater tots?

This recipe is designed for frozen tater tots. Using fresh potatoes would require par-cooking and wouldn’t deliver the same crispy texture.

Is it okay to use a different brand of BBQ sauce?

Absolutely! Any thick and flavorful BBQ sauce will work. Adjust sweetness or spice levels to your preference.

Can I make this in a smaller pan?

Yes, you can halve the recipe and use an 8×8 or 9×9-inch dish. Adjust baking time accordingly.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Definitely! Kids love the crispy tater tots and cheesy topping. You can reduce or omit the bacon if preferred.

Why This Casserole Works

This dish brings together beloved flavors and textures in a way that’s comforting and convenient. The meatloaf is rich and flavorful, the tater tots provide a crispy, satisfying crunch, and the cheese and bacon create that gooey, salty topping that takes it over the top.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want leftovers that reheat beautifully, this Cheesy Tater Tot Meatloaf Casserole delivers on all fronts. It’s a fun twist on traditional meatloaf and a guaranteed family favorite.

Final Thoughts

Cheesy Tater Tot Meatloaf Casserole is more than just a meal—it’s comfort food done right. From the saucy, savory meatloaf base to the crispy tater tot topping and gooey cheese, every bite is loaded with flavor. It’s easy to make, endlessly customizable, and the kind of dish that people ask for again and again.

Whether you’re prepping ahead for a busy week or need something hearty for your next potluck, this casserole is a surefire hit. Give it a try, and get ready to add it to your regular dinner rotation!

Cheesy Tater Tot Meatloaf Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Food Bake

Author: Diana Carrozza

Print Recipe

Description

This Cheesy Tater Tot Meatloaf Casserole is the ultimate comfort food mashup that combines two family favorites—classic meatloaf and crispy tater tot casserole—into one irresistible dish. Juicy, flavorful meatloaf made with Ritz crackers, Lipton onion soup mix, and a sweet-and-smoky BBQ ketchup glaze forms the hearty base. It’s topped with golden tater tots, gooey melted cheese, and savory bacon bits for the perfect crispy, cheesy finish. This crowd-pleasing casserole is easy to prepare, loaded with flavor, and guaranteed to be a hit at the dinner table!

Ingredients

– 1 cup ketchup
– 1 cup Sweet Baby Ray’s Hickory & Brown Sugar barbecue sauce
– 2 lbs lean ground beef
– 30 Ritz crackers, crushed
– 2 oz Lipton onion soup mix
– 2 large eggs
– 24 oz frozen tater tots
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
– 1/4 cup real bacon bits

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the ketchup and Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce. Stir well and set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, crushed Ritz crackers, Lipton onion soup mix, eggs, and 1/2 cup of the ketchup and barbecue sauce mixture. Mix thoroughly using your hands.
4. Press the meatloaf mixture into a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Spread the remaining ketchup and barbecue sauce mixture evenly over the meat.
5. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the sauce.
6. Sprinkle the shredded cheese and bacon bits over the tater tots.
7. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Then, remove the foil and continue baking for another 40 minutes or until the ground beef is thoroughly cooked.
8. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
9. Serve the Cheesy Tater Tot Meatloaf Casserole hot and enjoy the delicious combination of flavors and textures.

Notes

Cracker Swap: No Ritz on hand? You can substitute with saltine crackers, crushed cornflakes, or even seasoned breadcrumbs for a similar texture and flavor.

Cheese Options: Use your favorite cheese blend—Colby Jack, sharp cheddar, or pepper jack would all work well and bring their own twist to the dish.
Make It Ahead: Assemble the casserole up to a day in advance and refrigerate it, covered. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if starting from cold.
Tater Tot Tips: For extra-crispy tots, you can bake them for 10 minutes before adding them to the casserole.

Add Veggies: Sneak in some finely chopped onions, green peppers, or shredded carrots into the meat mixture for added flavor and nutrition.
Serving Suggestion: Pair this hearty casserole with a crisp side salad or steamed green beans to round out the meal.
Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.