Tater Tot Topped Meatloaf combines two comfort food classics into one irresistible dish. This savory, juicy meatloaf gets a fun, crispy upgrade with a golden tater tot crust. It’s surprisingly simple to make and guaranteed to please the whole family.
Love Tater Tot Topped Meatloaf? So do we! If you're into Meatloaf Recipes or curious about Crockpot Recipes, you'll find plenty of inspiration below.
Why You’ll Love This Tater Tot Topped Meatloaf
- Ultimate comfort mashup: Juicy meatloaf meets crispy tater tots in one satisfying dish.
- Addictive texture contrast: Tender meatloaf pairs perfectly with a crunchy potato topping.
- Guaranteed crowd-pleaser: Wins over picky kids and adults alike with its fun, familiar flavors.
- Easy to customize: Adapt the seasonings, add cheese, or mix in veggies to suit your taste.
Ingredients & Tools
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean works well)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko)
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 cup ketchup, plus more for topping
- 1 bag (16 oz) frozen tater tots
Tools: 9×5 inch loaf pan, mixing bowl, skillet (optional for sautéing aromatics), measuring spoons and cups
Notes: Whole milk adds richness, but 2% works too. Sautéing onion and garlic deepens their flavor.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories: | 420 kcal |
| Protein: | 22 g |
| Fat: | 24 g |
| Carbs: | 28 g |
| Fiber: | 2 g |
Serves: 6 | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 50 minutes | Total Time: 65 minutes
Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes
- Don’t overmix the meatloaf. When combining your ingredients, use your hands or a fork and mix just until everything is incorporated. Overmixing can make the meatloaf dense and tough—you want it tender and light.
- Why not skip the milk? The milk helps keep the meatloaf moist and tender by interacting with the breadcrumbs. If you’re out, you can use beef broth, but milk really gives the best texture.
- Let your tater tots hang out. Take the tater tots out of the freezer when you start prepping. Letting them sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes makes them easier to arrange and helps them cook more evenly.
- Customize your seasonings. This recipe is a great base! Feel free to add a pinch of onion powder, a dash of hot sauce, or even some grated Parmesan into the meat mixture for extra flavor depth.
How to Make Tater Tot Topped Meatloaf
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease your 9×5 inch loaf pan with a little oil or non-stick spray. This will make removing the meatloaf much easier later on. While the oven heats up, take your frozen tater tots out of the freezer so they can start to soften up a bit—this isn’t strictly necessary, but it does help them cook more evenly and makes them simpler to arrange neatly.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, milk, chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, dried thyme, black pepper, salt, and that 1/4 cup of ketchup. Now, the trick is to mix gently. I like to use my hands—it’s messy, but it’s the best way to ensure everything is just combined without overworking the meat. You’ll notice the mixture should be moist and hold together when pressed, but not feel tough or pasty.
Step 3: Transfer the meat mixture into your prepared loaf pan. Press it down gently and shape it into an even loaf, making sure it reaches the corners. You want a uniform thickness so it cooks evenly. Then, spread a thin layer of ketchup over the top of the meatloaf—this adds a touch of sweetness and helps create a nice glaze as it bakes.
Step 4: Now for the fun part—arranging the tater tots! Start by placing them in neat rows across the top of the meatloaf, pressing each one down lightly so it sticks into the meat mixture. You’ll want to cover the entire surface. It’s okay if they’re snug; they’ll shrink a little as they cook. The goal is a beautiful, golden, tot-topped masterpiece.
Step 5: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45–50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the tater tots are deep golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160°F (71°C) when checked with an instant-read thermometer. If your tots aren’t as brown as you’d like, you can pop the oven to broil for the last minute or two—just watch it closely!
Step 6: Once it’s out of the oven, let the meatloaf rest in the pan for about 5–10 minutes before slicing. This is crucial—it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, so you get a moist slice instead of a crumbly one. Then, carefully slice and serve it up while it’s still wonderfully warm.
Storage & Freshness Guide
- Fridge: Cool completely, store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Wrap slices tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reviving: Reheat in a 350°F oven until warm; broil briefly to re-crisp tots.
Serving Suggestions
Complementary Dishes
- Simple steamed green beans — Their fresh, crisp texture and mild flavor provide a lovely contrast to the rich, savory meatloaf, balancing out the meal perfectly.
- Creamy coleslaw — The cool, tangy crunch of a good slaw cuts through the richness and adds a refreshing element that lightens each bite.
- Buttery corn on the cob — Sweet, juicy corn is a classic pairing that brings a pop of color and sweetness, complementing the savory notes beautifully.
Drinks
- A cold lager or pale ale — The crisp, slightly bitter bubbles help cleanse the palate between bites of the hearty, flavorful meatloaf and tots.
- Sparkling water with lemon — For a non-alcoholic option, the effervescence and citrus zing offer a refreshing counterpoint to the dish’s richness.
- Iced tea (sweet or unsweet) — Its mild tannins and cool temperature make it a versatile, crowd-pleasing drink that doesn’t overpower the food.
Something Sweet
- Warm apple crisp with vanilla ice cream — The cozy, spiced apples and cold creaminess continue the comfort food theme in the most delightful way.
- Classic chocolate pudding — It’s smooth, rich, and not too heavy—a simple, nostalgic dessert that feels just right after such a satisfying meal.
- Chewy oatmeal raisin cookies — Their warmth and spice, with little bursts of sweetness, are the perfect handheld treat to end the night.
Top Mistakes to Avoid
Tater Tot Topped Meatloaf
Make the ultimate Tater Tot Topped Meatloaf! This easy recipe combines juicy meatloaf with a crispy tater tot crust. Get the family-friendly recipe here!
Ingredients
For the Ingredients
-
1 lb ground beef (85% lean works well)
-
1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko)
-
1 large egg (lightly beaten)
-
1/2 cup whole milk
-
1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
-
2 cloves garlic (minced)
-
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
-
1 tsp Dijon mustard
-
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
-
1/2 tsp dried thyme
-
1/2 tsp black pepper
-
1 tsp kosher salt
-
1/4 cup ketchup (plus more for topping)
-
1 bag frozen tater tots (16 oz)
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease your 9x5 inch loaf pan with a little oil or non-stick spray. This will make removing the meatloaf much easier later on. While the oven heats up, take your frozen tater tots out of the freezer so they can start to soften up a bit—this isn’t strictly necessary, but it does help them cook more evenly and makes them simpler to arrange neatly.01
-
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, milk, chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, dried thyme, black pepper, salt, and that 1/4 cup of ketchup. Now, the trick is to mix gently. I like to use my hands—it’s messy, but it’s the best way to ensure everything is just combined without overworking the meat. You’ll notice the mixture should be moist and hold together when pressed, but not feel tough or pasty.02
-
Transfer the meat mixture into your prepared loaf pan. Press it down gently and shape it into an even loaf, making sure it reaches the corners. You want a uniform thickness so it cooks evenly. Then, spread a thin layer of ketchup over the top of the meatloaf—this adds a touch of sweetness and helps create a nice glaze as it bakes.03
-
Now for the fun part—arranging the tater tots! Start by placing them in neat rows across the top of the meatloaf, pressing each one down lightly so it sticks into the meat mixture. You’ll want to cover the entire surface. It’s okay if they’re snug; they’ll shrink a little as they cook. The goal is a beautiful, golden, tot-topped masterpiece.04
-
Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45–50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the tater tots are deep golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160°F (71°C) when checked with an instant-read thermometer. If your tots aren’t as brown as you’d like, you can pop the oven to broil for the last minute or two—just watch it closely!05
-
Once it’s out of the oven, let the meatloaf rest in the pan for about 5–10 minutes before slicing. This is crucial—it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, so you get a moist slice instead of a crumbly one. Then, carefully slice and serve it up while it’s still wonderfully warm.06
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