Sweet Potato Tater Tot Casserole

This Sweet Potato Tater Tot Casserole is a healthier version of the classic hot-dish you love! Loaded with ground turkey, homemade cheesy cream of mushroom soup, fresh veggies, and topped with sweet potato tots – you’re going to love this recreation!

This post was originally published in September 2018. I’ve updated the photos and added additional recipe instructions to make it even better!

You guys. Please tell me that you know what Tater Tot Casserole is. Some folks (primarily in the mid-west) call it a hot dish. I’ve always heard it called a casserole here in the South. When I first met my husband and told him about the glory of it, he had never even heard of it! Cue the heart pains! Thankfully, I have since taught him all there is to know about it!

What is Tater Tot Casserole?

Let me fill you in on what the beauty of what Tater Tot Casserole entails. The classic version of this delicious casserole includes ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, lots of shredded cheese topped with tater tots. It’s wonderful to say the least.

We used to have it almost once a week growing up – so I have very fond memories of this dish! It’s PURE comfort foo! It was the best! I remember always being so excited knowing it was Tater Tot Casserole night. I also remember 100% smothering mine in ketchup when it was still fresh and hot out of the oven and straight up burning my mouth. #worthit

Healthy Swaps for Sweet Potato Tater Tot Casserole:

I wanted to try and make it just a tad bit healthier without sacrificing any of that classic taste of tater tot casserole that I loved. So, instead of ground beef? Ground turkey! I actually added fresh veggies like onions, garlic and mushrooms! I subbed sweet potato tots for the regular tater tots.

Aren’t they the cutest little tots you ever did see? I surely think so. Lastly, instead of using canned mushroom soup (which you can STILL use if you’re in a hurry!), I made my own! 

Ingredients You Need for Sweet Potato Tater Tot Casserole:

• 1 bag of sweet potato tots
• ground turkey
• cheddar cheese
• fresh mushrooms, garlic and onion and green bell pepper
• whole milk
• flour
• salt + pepper

How to make Sweet Potato Tater Tot Casserole: 

Slice and dice the onion, garlic, mushrooms and bell peppers and set these aside. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

In a large cast iron skillet, add olive oil and let the pan warm up. Once hot, add in the ground turkey. Season generously with salt + pepper and cook for about 5 minutes until it’s done. Remove the ground turkey from the skillet and set on a plate. Meanwhile, let the ground turkey grease remain in the pan.

To this pan, add finely diced onion and green bell pepper along with a sprinkle of salt. Cook for 2 minutes on medium heat. Next, add mushrooms. Cook for 2 minutes. Lastly, add garlic. Cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.

Here’s the fun part: add 1/4 cup of flour directly onto the veggies. Stir and make sure it combines with the veggies. Slowly add the whole milk. Stir with a wooden spoon. Let this cook for about 1 minute or so – never letting it come to a boil and then add in the CHEESE!! Oh yes. Add in about 1 cup of cheese and stir until it begins to melt. It should look something like this once it’s all said and done:

Once it’s all cheesy and thick and delicious (similar consistency to the classic canned cream of mushroom soup), add back in the ground turkey. Mix until it’s combined. Add another layer of cheese on top of that if desired and then top with the delicious sweet potato tater tots! You can certainly use normal tater tots – I just love the sweet potato variety for this particular recipe!

Bake in the skillet for 25-30 minutes until it’s deliciously golden brown! Top with extra veggies or jalapenos if you’re feeling spicy.

Side note: If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, simply mix the ground turkey in with the mushroom mixture, add that to the bottom of a casserole dish, top with cheese and the tater tots! Easy swap!

The result of the healthier swaps resulted in the same amazing taste! It was super flavorful turkey, creamed in with the mushroom soup and fresh mushrooms and onions. It was extra cheesy and topped with those delightful little sweet potato tots that became perfectly caramelized and crunchy on top. 

There is such a great balance here, folks. It’s not only healthier but it’s DELICIOUS! 

I’m all about those one skillet meals this Fall season. From this Skillet Refried Bean Dip to my Turkey Taco Quinoa Skillet, I’m just not into doing dishes this Fall. Who else is with me? XO

Did y’all enjoy this recipe? If so, here are a few more you might like: 

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Baked Garlic Herb Fries with Avocado Ranch 

One Skillet Taco Chili Mac and Cheese