Pulled Pork Tater Tot Casserole is the comfort food you didn’t know you needed— smoky pulled pork, golden tots, and melty cheese baked into one glorious dish!
Leftover Pulled Pork Casserole
When I make a big ol' pot of Pork Butt in Roaster Oven I usually make Baked Beans with Ground Beef. And because pork butts are typically pretty large, I sometimes have leftovers.
This Pulled Pork Tater Tot Casserole is the perfect way to use leftover pulled pork and create a whole new delicious supper that everyone will love.
Ingredients for Easy Tater Tot Casserole
- Pulled Pork - leftover pulled pork works well
- Cream Cheese, softened - adds creaminess to the casserole
- Baked Beans - optional, but delicious addition
- Tator Tots - make sure to keep them in a single layer and cook them until crisp
- BBQ Seasoning - I used the kind pictured I got at a food show, but use what you like.
- Cheddar Cheese, shredded - I typically use extra sharp cheddar because I like the strong flavor. Shred your own if you have time.
- Ranch Dressing - out of the bottle or make your own. We typically like to make it with sour cream and Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing powder.
- BBQ Sauce - Mixing it with the ranch makes for a delicious BBQ Ranch dressing that reminds me of the one served at Rib Crib.
- Dill Pickles, optional - brings a good
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- In a medium bowl combine the softened cream cheese and pulled pork. Mix well.
- Build the BBQ casserole: Spread the pork and cream cheese mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Top with baked beans and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Top with a single layer of tater tots and sprinkle with BBQ seasoning.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until tots are crispy and golden brown. See hint.
- Make BBQ Ranch dressing: Mix ranch dressing and BBQ sauce in a small bowl.
- When tots are golden brown, remove from the oven and drizzle with BBQ Ranch dressing mixture. Garnish with dill pickles, if desired.
Hint: Spray tater tots with cooking spray before baking to encourage crispy tater tots that are golden brown.
Pulled Pork Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 cups Pulled Pork
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese softened
- 2 cups Baked Beans
- 32 ounces Tator Tots frozen
- 2 cups Cheddar Cheese shredded
- ⅔ cup Ranch Dressing
- ⅓ cup BBQ Sauce
- Dill Pickles optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- In a medium bowl combine the softened cream cheese and pulled pork. Mix well.
- Spread in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Top with baked beans and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Top with a single layer of tater tots and sprinkle with BBQ seasoning.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until tots are crispy and golden brown. See hint.
- Make BBQ Ranch dressing: Mix ranch dressing and BBQ sauce in a small bowl.
- When tots are golden brown, remove from the oven and drizzle with BBQ Ranch dressing mixture. Garnish with dill pickles, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
What to Serve with this BBQ Tots Recipe
This BBQ casserole is a rich one-pan casserole and is perfect for a busy weeknight so I would choose equally quick sides to go along with it. A few to consider:
Variations
.I love tater tot casseroles and I'm always dreaming up a new version. Try one loaded with leftover chili - Loaded Tater Tots Casserole. Or a punched up ranch flavored tot casserole that starts with a rotisserie chicken - Tater Tot Buffalo Chicken Casserole. Or bring home the Big Mac flavor in my Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole.
Storage
To keep your casserole fresh and flavorful, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay good for 3-5 days.
If you’re meal prepping, portion the casserole into individual airtight containers for easy grab-and-go meals. This not only helps maintain freshness but also makes reheating a breeze! For best results, reheat in the oven or air fryer to keep the tots crispy.
FAQ
Absolutely! Store-bought pulled pork or leftovers work perfectly for this recipe. Just make sure it's well-seasoned to enhance the flavor.
Yes! Assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. When ready, bake it as directed, adding a few extra minutes if it's cold from the fridge.
Definitely! You can freeze the assembled but unbaked casserole or freeze leftovers. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn, and store it for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating or baking.
You can use shredded chicken, ground beef, or use beans for a vegetarian tater tot casserole.
Add chopped jalapeños, a dash of hot sauce, or sprinkle some cayenne pepper over the pulled pork before assembling the casserole for an extra kick.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Pulled Pork Tater Tot Casserole:
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Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Chuckie
It's a keeper! A great use for leftover pulled pork or brisket!