Sometimes, you just need a dish that’s incredibly comforting, satisfying, and doesn’t require a mountain of dirty dishes. Enter the Bacon-Loaded Cheesy Tater Tot Skillet. This isn’t just a side dish; it’s a full-on flavor experience, combining crispy tater tots with savory bacon, sweet caramelized onions and garlic, and a generous blanket of melted cheddar cheese and cool sour cream. Cooked entirely in one skillet (mostly!), it’s the perfect solution for a weeknight dinner, a lazy weekend brunch, or an impressive appetizer for friends.

Why I Love This Recipe

This skillet dish embodies everything I love about comfort food: it’s rich, flavorful, and remarkably easy to make. What truly sets it apart for me is the layering of textures – the crunch of the tots, the chew of the bacon, the silkiness of the melted cheese, and the fresh bite of the green onions. Plus, the fact that you can cook almost everything in a single oven-safe skillet is a huge win for easy cleanup. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that always leaves everyone asking for seconds!

Ingredients

• 1 pound bacon, chopped
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Chopped green onions, for garnish

Swaps and Notes

• Bacon: Thick-cut bacon works wonderfully here for extra texture and flavor. Turkey bacon can be a lighter alternative, though it won’t render as much fat for cooking the onions and tots.
• Cheese: While cheddar is classic, a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack, or even a spicy pepper jack, would be fantastic. Smoked Gouda would also add a unique depth.
• Tater Tots: Any brand of frozen tater tots will work. Crispy crowns or other potato shapes could also be used.
• Sour Cream: Greek yogurt can be substituted for a tangier and slightly healthier option.
• Onion & Garlic: Don’t skip caramelizing these; they add a crucial layer of sweetness and aroma.
• Optional Add-ins: For a heartier meal, consider adding cooked ground beef or shredded chicken to the skillet after the onions and garlic, before the tots. A drizzle of hot sauce at the end would also be great for a kick.

Steps for the Recipe

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook Bacon: In a large, oven-safe skillet (cast iron works beautifully here), cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it’s perfectly crispy. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the cooked bacon from the skillet and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Leave the rendered bacon grease in the skillet.
3. Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the bacon grease in the skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, or until the onion is softened and translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
4. Crisp the Tater Tots: Add the entire bag of frozen tater tots to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Spread them out in an even layer. Cook on the stovetop over medium-high heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tater tots are crispy and golden brown on all sides. This stovetop step helps ensure maximum crispness!
5. Assemble the Skillet: Once the tater tots are crispy, sprinkle the reserved cooked bacon evenly over them in the skillet. Top with the shredded cheddar cheese. Then, dollop spoonfuls of sour cream over the cheese. Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste.
6. Oven Finish: Transfer the skillet directly to the preheated oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly, and the sour cream is warm.
7. Garnish & Serve: Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven. Garnish generously with freshly chopped green onions. Serve immediately, straight from the skillet, and enjoy your incredibly delicious Bacon-Loaded Cheesy Tater Tot Skillet!

Tips for Success

• Don’t Drain All Grease: Leaving some bacon grease in the pan is key for flavoring the onions and helping the tater tots crisp up.
• Single Layer Tots: Try to keep the tater tots in as much of a single layer as possible during the stovetop cooking to maximize crispiness.
• Pre-Crisp Tots: The stovetop crisping step is vital. Don’t skip it, or your tots might be soggy.
• Oven-Safe Skillet: Make sure your skillet is oven-safe (e.g., cast iron or stainless steel with an oven-safe handle).
• Serve Hot: This dish is definitely best served immediately while the tots are crispy and the cheese is molten.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This Bacon-Loaded Cheesy Tater Tot Skillet is hearty enough to be a stand-alone meal, but it also makes a show-stopping appetizer for game day or a casual get-together.

• Party Spread: If you’re hosting, pair this with other crowd-pleasing dips like This Crockpot Nacho Dip is the Reason I Never Have Leftovers or This Beer Cheese Dip is My Favorite Party Starter That Disappears in Minutes.
• Taco Night Fun: Continue the casual, build-your-own theme with This Walking Taco Bar is My Favorite No-Fuss Way to Feed a Crowd.
• Quick Entrees: For another easy skillet meal or appetizer, check out These Sheet Pan Quesadillas are My Favorite Way to Feed a Crowd Fast.

Storage and Leftover Tips

Like most loaded potato dishes, this skillet is best enjoyed fresh. The tater tots can lose their crispness once refrigerated. If you do have leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, spread the contents of the skillet on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes until heated through and the cheese is re-melted. Avoid microwaving, as it will make the tots soggy.

More Recipes You Will Love

If you’re a fan of crispy potatoes, melted cheese, and savory toppings, you’ll definitely want to try these other delicious recipes:

• These Totchos are My Favorite Party Food Hack: Tater Tot Nachos for the Win!
• This Crockpot Nacho Dip is the Reason I Never Have Leftovers
• This Beer Cheese Dip is My Favorite Party Starter That Disappears in Minutes

Final Thoughts

The Bacon-Loaded Cheesy Tater Tot Skillet is more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration of simple ingredients coming together to create something truly extraordinary. It’s the perfect dish for those times you need maximum flavor with minimum fuss, leaving you more time to savor every delicious, cheesy, bacony bite.

Did you whip up this Tater Tot Skillet? What are your favorite skillet meals? Share your feedback in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow Chef Maniac for more irresistible recipes!