Description

A hearty, family-friendly casserole featuring rotisserie chicken in creamy alfredo sauce topped with crispy tater tots and melted cheese. Perfect for weeknight dinners and feeding a crowd.

Ingredients

For the Casserole Base:

3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (whatever’s cheapest at the store)
8 slices bacon, cooked and chopped (I buy those pre-cooked bits in a bag)
8 oz frozen broccoli florets (store brand is fine)
2 jars (16 oz each) Alfredo sauce (I use Prego because it was on sale)
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
⅓ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (the powdered kind from a can)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

For the Topping:

28 oz frozen tater tots (don’t cheap out on these, they’re the whole point)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (extra cheese makes everything better)

For the Garnish:

Fresh chopped parsley (if I have it, which I usually don’t)

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Instructions

Get That Oven Ready

Turn it to 400. My oven is ancient and takes forever to heat up so I start it first thing. If yours is newer and fancy it might actually work properly, lucky you.

Mix Your Base

Dump everything except tater tots and extra cheese in your bowl. I usually do this while standing at the counter eating goldfish crackers because that’s where I am in life. Mix it all up with whatever spoon you can find.

Add the Cheese

Throw in the parmesan and first cup of mozzarella. Stir it around. This is when Luke always appears asking if he can lick the spoon, which is gross but I let him anyway.

Layer It Up

Grease your pan. I just spray the heck out of it because I’m not dealing with stuck-on cheese later. Spread the chicken goop in there. Then put the tater tots on top in some kind of pattern. Mine never looks Pinterest-worthy but who cares.

First Bake

Put it in for 35 minutes. I set the timer on my phone and then immediately forget what the timer is for when it goes off. The edges should be bubbly and the tops of the tots golden-ish.

Cheese Crown

Take it out (use oven mitts, learned that the hard way) and dump the rest of the cheese on top. Back in the oven for maybe 10 more minutes. I usually just watch it through the oven door like a weirdo.

Finish and Serve

Let it sit for a few minutes while you yell at everyone to come eat. Sprinkle parsley on top if you have it and want to pretend you made an effort. Cut it into squares and watch your family actually eat vegetables without complaining.

Notes

Pan size matters: Use a 9×13 or it’ll be too thick and won’t cook right. I learned this when I tried to use a smaller pan and the middle was still cold.

Don’t overthink it: This isn’t fancy food. It’s basically drunk food that you can serve to your family without judgment.

Timing is weird: Sometimes it takes longer, sometimes shorter. Just check it and use your brain.

Kids will complain anyway: Even if they like it, they’ll find something to complain about. That’s just how kids are.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American