Ultimate Comfort Ham and Tater Tot Casserole with Creamy Cheese Sauce Recipe

ByLily Cross
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Introduction

The ultimate ham and tater tot casserole features tender chunks of savory ham, crispy golden tater tots, and a rich creamy cheese sauce. This beloved comfort food classic combines hearty flavors with a velvety texture, delivering a family-friendly dish perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks.

The image shows a white baking dish filled with a casserole topped with a layer of golden brown, crispy tater tots arranged evenly on top. Underneath, there is a thick, creamy layer with melted cheese that stretches as a spoon lifts a serving. Small cubes of pink ham are mixed throughout the creamy cheese layer, and a sprinkling of green herbs is scattered on the surface, adding a touch of color. The dish sits on a white marbled surface, and the close-up view highlights the bubbly, perfectly baked texture of the casserole. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked ham, diced
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 32 oz frozen tater tots
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • Cooking spray for pan
  • Aluminum foil for covering

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup and cream of chicken soup.
  3. Step 3: Add sour cream and milk to the soup mixture, stirring until smooth and combined.
  4. Step 4: Mix in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to season the sauce.
  5. Step 5: Fold in diced ham, ensuring pieces are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
  6. Step 6: Add diced onion, frozen corn, frozen peas, and diced bell pepper to the mixture.
  7. Step 7: Stir in 1.5 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and all of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
  8. Step 8: Pour the ham and cheese mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  9. Step 9: Spread the mixture into an even layer, smoothing the top with a spatula.
  10. Step 10: Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer covering the entire casserole surface.
  11. Step 11: Brush the tater tots with melted butter and sprinkle with paprika.
  12. Step 12: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning.
  13. Step 13: Bake covered for 30 minutes until the mixture is bubbly around the edges.
  14. Step 14: Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining cheddar and Parmesan cheese over the tater tots.
  15. Step 15: Continue baking uncovered for 15-20 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
  16. Step 16: Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the cheese is melted.
  17. Step 17: Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
  18. Step 18: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and sliced green onions.
  19. Step 19: Cut into portions and serve hot while tater tots are still crispy.

Tips & Variations

  • For a spicier version, add extra cayenne pepper or include diced jalapeños in the vegetable mix.
  • Swap the cream of mushroom soup for cream of celery or cream of broccoli to change the flavor profile.
  • Use turkey or chicken in place of ham for a lighter variation.
  • To make it vegetarian, omit ham and add extra vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini.

Storage

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through, or reheat the entire casserole in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes to regain crispiness of the tater tots.

How to Serve

This dish is a baked casserole served in a white rectangular dish on a white marbled surface. The top layer is made of golden brown crispy tater tots arranged closely in a grid-like pattern, with some specks of green herbs sprinkled over. Below the tater tots, there is a thick layer of melted, stretchy cheese mixed with small square pieces of pinkish ham or bacon, all covered in a creamy sauce that lightly shows around the edges of the tater tots. A spoon is lifting a portion, revealing the gooey melted cheese stretched in long strands below the upper crisp surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole a day ahead, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time if baking from cold.

What can I use instead of tater tots?

If tater tots are unavailable, frozen hash browns or small potato cubes can be used as a crispy topping, though baking times may vary slightly.

Print
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Ultimate Comfort Ham and Tater Tot Casserole with Creamy Cheese Sauce Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 114 reviews
  • Author: Lily
  • Total Time: 65 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
Print Recipe

Description

This Ultimate Comfort Ham and Tater Tot Casserole with Creamy Cheese Sauce is a hearty and delicious family favorite. Tender diced ham is combined with a rich and creamy blend of mushroom and chicken soups, sour cream, and spices, then layered with vibrant vegetables and a generous mix of cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Topped with crispy, golden tater tots brushed with butter and sprinkled with paprika, this casserole bakes into a warm, comforting dish perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks. Finished with fresh parsley and green onions, it offers a perfect blend of textures and flavors that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Ham Base

  • 3 cups cooked ham, diced
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Creamy Sauce

  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Cheese Layer

  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Vegetable Mix

  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup diced bell pepper

Tater Tot Topping

  • 32 oz frozen tater tots
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Seasoning

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Fresh Garnish

  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 green onions, sliced

Final Touch

  • Cooking spray for pan
  • Aluminum foil for covering

Special Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare the soup mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup and cream of chicken soup, stirring together evenly.
  3. Add sour cream and milk: Stir in the sour cream and whole milk until the mixture is smooth and fully combined, creating a creamy sauce base.
  4. Season the sauce: Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the sauce mixture. Stir well to integrate all the seasonings thoroughly.
  5. Fold in diced ham: Gently fold the diced cooked ham into the sauce, ensuring the ham pieces are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
  6. Add vegetables: Incorporate diced onion, frozen corn, frozen peas, and diced bell pepper into the mixture, stirring until well mixed.
  7. Add cheese: Stir in 1.5 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese and all the shredded mozzarella cheese to the mixture, blending evenly.
  8. Assemble casserole base: Pour this ham and cheese mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer using a spatula.
  9. Arrange tater tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer across the entire surface of the casserole to form a crispy topping.
  10. Brush with butter and paprika: Brush the tops of the tater tots with melted butter and sprinkle them evenly with paprika for added flavor and color.
  11. Cover with foil: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to prevent the tater tots from over-browning during the initial bake.
  12. Bake covered: Bake the casserole covered for 30 minutes until the mixture is bubbly around the edges.
  13. Add remaining cheese: Remove the foil carefully, then sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over the tater tots.
  14. Bake uncovered: Continue baking the casserole uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese has melted.
  15. Check temperature: Ensure the internal temperature of the casserole reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption and that the cheese is fully melted.
  16. Let rest: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes to set and cool slightly before serving.
  17. Garnish and serve: Garnish the casserole with freshly chopped parsley and sliced green onions for added freshness and color.
  18. Portion and enjoy: Cut the casserole into portions and serve hot, enjoying the crispy texture of the tater tots and creamy filling.
  19. Store leftovers: Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator, where they will keep well for up to 3 days.

Notes

  • This casserole can be customized by adding other vegetables like diced carrots or mushrooms for extra nutrition and flavor.
  • For a spicier kick, include the optional cayenne pepper in the seasoning mix or add a dash of hot sauce.
  • Use low-fat or light sour cream and milk if you want to reduce calories and fat content slightly.
  • Make sure to arrange tater tots in a single layer to ensure even crispiness.
  • Letting the casserole rest before serving helps the layers set and makes cutting easier.
  • Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave, but re-crisp tater tots by reheating briefly in the oven or air fryer.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: ham casserole, tater tot casserole, creamy cheese sauce, comfort food, easy casserole, baked casserole, cheesy ham dish, family dinner recipe

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