Healthier Tater Tot Casserole sits in a white braiser with a dollop of plain yogurt and green onions on it. A scoop is on a plate and a serving spoon sits in the braiser.

A big thank you to Larder & Vine for sponsoring today’s post! Their beautiful and durable enameled cast iron braiser in the color white was used to make this Healthier Tater Tot Casserole. You can use the code: SUPERMOMEATS to get 20% off of any Larder & Vine product. Hint, hint…if you’re a busy mom, you need this braiser! 😉 Okay, let’s dive into the recipe!

Tater Tot Casserole Without Meat

So how do you make a Tater Tot Casserole without meat? It’s traditionally made with ground beef, but since I don’t eat meat, I needed to find a different way to make it justifiable to eat a lot of tater tots at one time. 😉

The bottom layer is made with blended lentils, onion, mushrooms, zucchini, and carrots so you (and your kids!) don’t even notice that there are veggies in the recipe. This is then topped with cheese and followed by the star of the show, the tater tots.

What Can You Cook With a Braiser?

Before I started using Larder & Vine’s Braiser, I have to admit that I had actually never used a braiser or really knew what to do with one. Come to find out, you can use a braiser for almost anything!

This Braiser is becoming my go-to pan because it can do everything from sauteeing, making one-pot meals like my Vegan One-Pot Tomato Vodka Pasta or Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Gnocchi Bake, actually braising vegetables and meat (if you eat it), making pizza, or even making desserts!

I love its timeless design and heirloom quality that will last for generations (assuming my boys end up liking cooking!).

And while you’re not cooking with it, the braiser sure makes for a beautiful home decor piece when you have it resting on your stovetop!

An overhead view of the tater tot casserole in a white braiser.

Why You’ll Love This Tater Tot Casserole

  • Easy. Other than blending the lentil veggie mixture in the food processor, everything can be cooked in the braiser as it can transfer directly to the oven.
  • Quick. This recipe is ready in just about 30-35 minutes!
  • Adaptable for the whole family. See my tips below on how to customize this dish for picky eaters!

Healthier Tater Tot Casserole Ingredients

  • Olive oil: used to coat the braiser.
  • Veggie blend: a yummy (undetectable) mix of onion, mushrooms, zucchini, and carrots.
  • Cooked green lentils: I like to use Trader Joe’s precooked lentils for this to save me time. If you’re cooking the lentils from scratch, I recommend making them in advance so you can put dinner together quickly!
  • Tomato sauce: this adds flavor and helps the lentil mixture blend.
  • Unsweetened plain almond milk (or milk of choice): you can use any unsweetened, plain milk here (plant-based or regular); alternatively, you can substitute the milk for vegetable broth.
  • Taco seasoning: this adds some flavor to the lentil mixture.
  • Coconut aminos: this is a soy-free condiment that is used to add a salty, umami flavor.
  • Shredded cheddar cheese: this helps the tater tots stick to the lentils and, of course, adds a delicious cheesy gooeyness to the dish!
  • Frozen tater tots: the key ingredient! If you want a healthier tater tot casserole, you can substitute regular tater tots for sweet potato tater tots.
Tater tot casserole in a white braiser with the lid resting on it. A dish cloth sits next to the braiser.

How to Make Vegetarian Tater Tot Casserole

STEP 1 – Saute veggies

Heat the olive oil in the braiser over medium heat. Add onions, mushrooms, zucchini, and carrots and saute for approximately 5 minutes.

STEP 2 – Process lentils and veggies

Carefully transfer veggies to a food processor. Add cooked lentils, walnuts (if using), tomato sauce, almond milk, coconut aminos, and taco seasoning. Process until smooth. Transfer lentil mixture back to the braiser.

STEP 3 – Top with cheese and tater tots

Sprinkle cheese over the lentil mixture so that it is fully covered. Place tater tots in concentric circles until the entire surface is covered.

STEP 4 – Bake

Carefully transfer the braiser to the oven and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit, until the cheese is melted and the tater tots are cooked through and crispy.

A side view of the tater tot casserole in a white braiser. A fork is in the dish and some of the casserole has been scooped out.

How to Store Tater Tot Casserole

Store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

How to Clean and Store Your Larder & Vine Braiser

Cleaning your Larder & Vine Braiser is easy and quick! Plus, there’s no need to season it thanks to the enamel coating.

To clean: If there is no tough residue, simply wipe clean with soap, water, and a sponge. For tough stains, see care instructions that come with the braiser.

To store: Make sure not to stack your braiser with any other pieces to keep it in the best condition.

How to Customize Tater Tot Casserole for Kids

If your kids are anything like mine, they can be picky. Here are some ideas for how you can serve this dish to your kids, without much extra work on your part:

  • Serve a little of the Tater Tot Casserole for them to try if they’d like alongside some other easy-to-prep items you know they like (e.g., snap peas, blueberries, avocado, and roasted chickpeas).
  • Scoop the tater tots off the top of the casserole and place on their plate. Then take the bottom layer and wrap it in a burrito for them.
  • Separate the tater tots and the bottom layer and serve on different sections of their plate.
  • Deconstruct the casserole: On a small baking sheet, bake a few of the tater tots plain to serve to your child. Also, reserve some cooked lentils and raw carrots for your child’s plate before you make the lentil mixture.

What to Serve With Tater Tot Casserole

This dish is great on its own and already has protein and veggies in it! If you’re still looking for a side or topping suggestions, here are some simple ideas:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this recipe be modified for picky eaters?

Yes! Check out my tips above for how to customize this recipe for picky eaters.

What are good toppings for this Healthier Tater Tot Casserole?

We love topping ours with green onions, plain yogurt (or you can use sour cream), cilantro, and salsa!

Can I add other vegetables?

Sure! You could try butternut squash, peas, green beans, spinach, or any others you think might pair nicely.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

It can be! Be sure to check that your taco seasoning, lentils, and tater tots are gluten-free, as some brands can contain gluten. For example, the Trader Joe’s pre-cooked lentils I like to use for this recipe do contain traces of wheat.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the lentil mixture about 2 days ahead of time so all you have to do is sprinkle the cheese and tater tots on top when you’re ready to bake it.

A close up view of a serving spoon resting in the tater tot casserole braiser dish.

More Healthy Dinner Recipes to Try in Your Braiser!

You can use my code: SUPERMOMEATS to save 20% on the Larder & Vine Braiser I used in this recipe and you can use it to make any of the recipes below as well! You can also use the code: COOKCUSTOM to get 30% off when you bundle any 3 cookware items.

Tuscan White Bean and Kale Soup With Lentils

Healthy Mac and Cheese for Kids

Vegan One-Pot Tomato Vodka Pasta

Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Gnocchi Bake

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If you tried this Healthier Tater Tot Casserole recipe or any other recipe on the blog, let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Thank you so much!

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Tater tot casserole in a white braiser with the lid resting on it. A dish cloth sits next to the braiser.
5 stars (1 rating)

Healthier Tater Tot Casserole

Yield: 4 servings
This Tater Tot Casserole is an easy, vegetarian weeknight dinner for the whole family! It's made with lentils and undetectable veggies!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Ingredients
 

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ white onion, diced
  • 1 cup white mushrooms sliced
  • ½ cup zucchini diced, (about ½ of a medium zucchini)
  • 1 large carrot diced
  • 2 cups cooked green lentils, (I like to use Trader Joe’s precooked lentils)
  • (Optional) 1 cup raw walnuts*
  • ½ cup tomato sauce
  • ½ cup unsweetened plain almond milk, (or milk of choice; alternatively you can substitute milk for vegetable broth)
  • ½ teaspoon taco seasoning
  • 3 tablespoons coconut aminos
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 24 ounces frozen tater tots

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Heat the olive oil in the braiser over medium heat. Add onions, mushrooms, zucchini, and carrots and saute for approximately 5 minutes.
  • Carefully transfer veggies to a food processor. Add cooked lentils, walnuts (if using), tomato sauce, almond milk, coconut aminos, and taco seasoning. Process until smooth. Transfer lentil mixture back to the braiser.
  • Sprinkle cheese over the lentil mixture so that it is fully covered.
  • Place tater tots in concentric circles until the entire surface is covered.
  • Carefully transfer the braiser to the oven and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the tater tots are cooked through and crispy.

Notes

*If using walnuts, be sure to process the lentil mixture very well so you don’t have chunks of walnuts in your dish. 
How to Store: Store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe?Leave a COMMENT and STAR RATING below to help others find it, too! Thank you so much!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Larder & Vine.