What To Serve With Tater Tot Casserole – 39 BEST Sides
If you’re wondering what to serve with your tater tot casserole, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, I list 39 of the most popular side dishes for tater tot casserole.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best side dishes to serve with tater tot casserole are French fried onions, steam-fried veggies, gremolata garlic bread, and minted peas. You can also try blistered tomatoes, butter lettuce salad, red cabbage slaw, lemon garlic sauteed spinach, or roasted brussels sprouts.
Ready? Let’s jump right in.
Salads
Tater tot casserole can be indulgent, so a light salad on the side is a welcome site.
It’s best to keep thing simple with salad sides for a casserole, because you don’t want to overload the plate with flavors.
Butter lettuce salad
Tater tot casserole is a rich, indulgent dish, so a fresh, green salad is always a welcome accompaniment.
My go-to is usually this butter lettuce salad. Aside from the leafy greens, it’s loaded with crisp, peppery radishes, crunchy walnuts, and tangy pickled red onions.
Then everything is dressed with a mint vinaigrette that adds a refreshing bite.
Why we love this recipe: it’s Insta-worthy.
Red cabbage slaw
Growing tired of the usual creamy slaw? Shake things up with this vibrant red cabbage slaw..
Aside from the standard cabbage and carrots, it’s studded with jalapeno peppers that add mild heat.
Plus it boasts a mayo-free dressing with another layer of spice thanks to the cayenne pepper.
Why we love this recipe: it’s lighter and healthier than the usual version.
Vegetables
Tater tot casserole can always benefit from a veggie side to make it a bit healthier!
I usually go with steam-fried veggies or a simple sautéed spinach because they’re quick to make and super nourishing.
But if you want to carry on the decadent theme, try baked beans.
Steam-fried veggies
Steam-frying is one of my favorite ways to cook veggies.
It involves quickly stir-frying the veg and then steaming them to finish them.
This method allows you to cook the veg with less oil and still get perfectly crisp-tender veggies with some delightful charred spots.
And you can use pretty much any vegetables you want.
Why we love this recipe: they’re more exciting than plain old steamed veg.
Blistered tomatoes
Fresh tomatoes are amazing, but something magical happens when you cook them in hot oil.
They become delightfully juicy and develop a sweet-savory bite like no other, making them a fabulous side dish for your tater tot casserole.
You can serve them as is, but I like drizzling some balsamic vinegar over them for an added hint of umami.
Why we love this recipe: you probably have everything you need to make these already.
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Minted peas
Take a page from British cuisine and pair your tater tot casserole with minted peas.
They’re super easy to make, plus their vibrant green color looks great against the golden tater tots.
For best results, use fresh mint or spearmint leaves – you won’t get the same depth of flavor with dried mint leaves.
Why we love this recipe: each serving only adds 98 calories to your meal.
Roasted brussels sprouts with garlic
Roasting is my go-to method for cooking brussels sprouts.
Under high heat, these cabbage-like morsels develop deliciously crisp edges and tender interiors.
And they’re easy to jazz up with any seasoning – this recipe goes for classic fresh garlic and parmesan combo.
It’s simple but absolutely delicious when paired with a healthy serving of tater tots casserole.
Why we love this recipe: it’s versatile.
Instant pot BBQ beans
The Instant Pot is a godsend for dishes like baked beans.
It makes cooking a breeze, and if you’re using dry beans (like with this recipe), you won’t need to worry about soaking them. YAY!
They’re guaranteed to come out creamy and tender.
Enjoy these baked beans alongside your tater tot casserole for the ultimate comfort meal.
Why we love this recipe: it has a 4.78 rating from 301 votes.
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Lemon garlic sauteed spinach
Need a quick and tasty side dish for your tater tot casserole? You can’t go wrong with sauteed spinach.
It requires basic pantry staples, and it’s loaded with lots of good-for-you nutrients and minerals.
These greens may be simple, but a squeeze of lemon juice and a dash of red pepper flakes helps lift them up.
Why we love this recipe: it’s the perfect nourishing addition, even for busy weeknight meals.
Starches
It’s twice the carbs, but you deserve to indulge from time to time, right?
A slice of store-bought crusty bread is an effortless option that will help soak up your casserole’s delicious sauce.
Or go with something to add crunch.
French fried onions
It’s not traditional, but I love topping my tater tot casseroles with these French fried onions – inspired by green bean casseroles.
They add a delectable crunch to contrast your casserole’s tender textures and are super easy to make.
This recipe makes a TON of crispy onions (more than I expected), so you can store the excess. They’ll crisp back up nicely when heated.
Why we love this recipe: it has a 4.93 rating from 107 votes.
Gremolata garlic bread
This isn’t your ordinary garlic bread.
Instead of a garlicky butter spread, the bread is brushed with garlic-infused oil and topped with homemade gremolata.
This gives you a lighter garlic bread with a bright and herby flavor – just what you need to cut through your rich tater tot casserole.
Why we love this recipe: it’s highly addictive.
Proteins
If you want to go all for you dinner, use the tater tot casserole as a side and pair it with a protein main.
I love crispy chicken tenders but you can also go with beer-battered fish for a seafood option.
Or try tofu nuggets for a meat-free option.
Nashville hot chicken tenders
If you prefer a meatless tater tot casserole, why not get your protein fix with these chicken tenders instead?
They’re marinated in a simple mixture of salt, pepper, and hot sauce, meaning each individual flavor can shine.
Marinating the chicken overnight is recommended, but even a 30-minute soak does wonders in tenderizing the meat.
Why we love this recipe: these won’t last long on the table.
Parmesan crusted pork chops
You can bid boring pork chops good-bye thanks to this recipe!
The Kitchn skips the flour and dredges the pork chops in parmesan cheese, before coating them with a breadcrumb and parmesan mixture.
The results? Extra crisp pork chops with a delightful savory, nutty flavor.
Why we love this recipe: it’s kid-friendly.
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Blackened shrimp
Blackened seasoning is one of my go-to spice blends to use with shrimp.
It adds a pleasant heat that won’t set your mouth on fire, but will perfectly contrast your tater tot casserole’s richness.
You can easily buy this spice blend in your groceries, but I like making it from scratch so I can easily adjust its heat level.
Pssst… want more spice? Just add more cayenne!
Why we love this recipe: everyone will be clamoring for seconds.
The best side dishes to serve with tater tot casserole
- French fried onions
- Gremolata garlic bread
- Nashville hot chicken tenders
- Parmesan-crusted pork chops
- Blackened shrimp
- Steam-fried veggies
- Butter lettuce salad
- Blistered tomatoes
- Minted peas
- Red cabbage slaw
- Roasted brussels sprouts with garlic
- Instant pot BBQ beans
- Lemon garlic sauteed spinach