Kielbasa and Cabbage Tater Tot Casserole is comfort food of epic proportions. Sautéed cabbage and kielbasa topped with cheddar cheese and tater tots, then baked until crisp.
We eat a lot of cabbage around here. Whether I am subbing it for lettuce on Shrimp Tacos, making some slaw to serve with pulled pork, making cabbage salsa or, one of my personal favorites, sautéing it with kielbasa. Cabbage makes a several appearances on our menu.
This Kielbasa and Cabbage Tater Tot Casserole is my latest cabbage creation. And we have already eaten it 2 times in as many weeks. The kids love it, my husband loves it and I love it
I’m pretty sure your family will love it too.
What is Tater Tot Casserole?
Tater tot casserole has origins in the midwest. I believe it’s called hot dish there. Basically it’s sautéed meat and veggies topped with tater tots and baked until golden.
The possibilities are virtually endless. You could make a classic version with ground beef, a version with BBQ Pulled Pork , and a taco version and even a pizza version.
This Kielbasa and Cabbage Tater Tot Casserole is destined to become a favorite just like these.
How do you make Kielbasa and Cabbage Tater Tot Casserole?
Like most good recipes, this one starts with bacon.
After browning the bacon, reserve the pan drippings and use it, along with apple cider vinegar, to sauté onions and cabbage.
Next comes the kielbasa and seasonings
For the seasonings, I keep it simple, salt, pepper, caraway seeds and crushed red pepper for a little kick. You can leave the crushed red pepper out if you don’t want the added heat.
Finally, sprinkle some cheddar on top, top with tots and bake until the the whole thing is golden brown.
Seriously, bacon, cabbage, sausage and tater tots. It doesn’t get much more comforting
What kind of baking dish do you need to make tater tot casserole?
Basically, you want a pan that is large enough to fit all of your ingredients. I like to make this as easy as possible by making this a one pot dish and using a 12 inch cast iron skillet. That way I can use it on the stove and in the oven.
If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, or other oven-proof skillet, simply prepare the kielbasa and cabbage in a skillet and then transfer the whole thing to a casserole dish before topping it with the tater tots.
Can you use turkey kielbasa?
Absolutely! Any kind of kielbasa will work in this recipe! I’ve used both, turkey and beef, and have had great results.
Servings
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon (diced)
- 1 yellow onion (sliced)
- 1 head cabbage (cored and sliced)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 16 ounces beef or turkey kielbasa sausage, sliced
- 2 teaspoons caraway seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- salt and pepper
- 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 2 pound bag tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Cook bacon in a 12-inch cast iron skillet until browned. Use a slotted spoon to remove and set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons pan drippings.
- In the same pan that you cooked the bacon, sauté the onions, just until they start to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the cabbage and apple cider vinegar. Cover and cook for 3 - 5 minutes or until cabbage has wilted.
- Add in kielbasa, caraway, crushed red pepper. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese on top of the kielbasa and cabbage mixture. Top with tater tots. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven, top with remaining cheese and reserved bacon. Bake for an additional 5 - 10 minutes or until tater tots are browned and cheese is melted. Serve.
Tater tots ..sign me up please. It looks so darn delicious! Adding cabbage is such a wonderful idea. I’m gonna try this soon.
I swear, tater tots can make absolutely anything even better. I already love kielbasa and cabbage on its own, but this takes it to another level!
Yum! This dinner literally combines all of my favorites into one skillet. Can’t wait to make this! Pinning for later.
I love this comfort food casserole. Perfect for hearty Sunday dinner but easy enough for weeknights too.
I have not had tater tots in a long time, but this recipe going to change that, yum!
This looks incredible! This is something the whole family will love for sure. I will have to try it soon.
this is one of those dishes that just leaves you feeling content and happy. because who doesn’t love tater tots?? Great recipe!
Looks delicious and so easy to make! !
I have been wanting to make tater tot casserole for a long time now. This looks like my kind of meal! Bookmarking it to make later :)
Talk about comfort food! This looks DELICIOUS!
My niece’s kids love tater tots. I mean, love with a passion. When I have them over for sleepovers, that’s what they want me to make!! So, I’m going to try your delicious recipe on them and I bet they are going to love it.
I would love to try this!! It sounds amazing!
This looks like the perfect dinner for tonight! So delish!
Yup, my family is going to freak out when I make them this dish! I looove kielbasa and of course my girls love tater tots, this is going to be a new family favourite for sure!
Well the Ukrainian in me knows a thing or two about kielbasa and cabbage. Add some tater tots, and you have yourself a great meal. I know my family would love this for dinner any night of the week.
This is such an amazing flavor combo!! Would love to try it!
This casserole looks fantastic! I have all of the ingredients on hand!
I am loving this!! Comfort food at its best!! YUM!!
This takes taters to another level!
This is making me hungry! Looks so good! I will make it soon!
This was a huge hit with my family, thanks!
This is my kind of casserole! I mean, it has bacon so it’s already a winner in my book!