Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole

Construction:

1. Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook Bacon: If you’re using raw bacon, cook it until crispy and chop it into bits.
3. Make the Sauce: In a saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in the flour to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk, cooking until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat, and mix in ranch dressing, salt, and pepper.
4. Combine Chicken and Bacon: In a large bowl, mix together the cooked chicken, chopped bacon, and half of the shredded cheese. Pour in the ranch sauce and stir everything together.
5. Layer the Tater Tots: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, then layer the frozen tater tots at the bottom.
6. Top with Chicken Mixture: Spread the chicken and bacon mixture evenly over the tater tots.
7. Add More Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
9. Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to avoid burning your mouth on the cheese!

Variations:

• Spicy: Add some hot sauce to the ranch sauce or sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes on top before baking.
• Vegetarian: Skip the chicken and bacon, and add extra veggies like spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms for a hearty alternative.
• Different Cheese: Swap cheddar for Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or even pepper jack for extra flavor.
• Add a Crunch: Top with crispy onions or even crumbled crackers for extra texture.

Tips:

• Pre-cooked chicken: To save time, use rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken. It’ll make the prep even faster.
• Tater Tot Layering: If you want extra crispy tots, you can bake them a little bit before adding the chicken mixture.
• Make-Ahead: You can assemble this casserole the night before, cover it, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake it the next day.
• Perfectly Crispy Tots: If you like your tots extra crispy, spread them out on the baking sheet first, bake them for 10-15 minutes before layering, then continue with the recipe.

This casserole is perfect for any occasion—trust me, it’s going to disappear fast! Enjoy making this delicious dish tonight!