Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Yes, yes, I’m alive.  I know, you were worried.  It’s been a hectic summer around these parts.  The Scoop is crazy-busy:

  

… and we’ve been getting to hang out outside a bit…

Oh, and I discovered geocaching. 

  

I may be a little obsessed (username “feauxcajun”).

But, I HAVE also been cooking. I just haven’t taken the time to blog about it.  As the Scoop season winds down, I have a little more free time again.  So, I’d like to share a recipe I swiped from my cousin Manda Starr.  Well…technically from her hubs, who made it for us for Turkey Day breakfast last year.

SUPER yummy stuff. 

The nice thing about this is that you can compose 90% of this dish the night before, and then just add the tater tots in the morning before you bake it. 
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb ground beef or pork sausage
4 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled
1/2 onion, diced
1/2 cup chives
salt & pepper to taste
1-2 tsp turmeric (we’re on a turmeric kick lately…it’s great for you and very mild so you can add it to anything…but it IS responsible for the super-yellow color of the dish.)
2-3 cups shredded cheese (I prefer sharp cheddar, but as you can tell from the pics, we had mozzarella on-hand.)
4 eggs
2 lbs frozen tater tots

DIRECTIONS:
Cook the meat & onions in a large skillet, then drain off the excess fat.  Transfer into the bottom of a 9x13 pan.  Then add the cheese & bacon.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs, chives, turmeric, salt & pepper, then pour over the meat & cheese.  (If you prep it the night before, here’s where you refrigerate it.)
When you’re ready to bake, heat the oven to 350F, and add the tater tots.  If you’re a free spirit, you can just toss them on top and spread ‘em around so you have good coverage.  But…if you’re a little more “A type” personality…

(I know it seems a little anal, but it actually makes portioning really easy later on.)

Press the tots down into the mixture a little bit to get a good “crust”. Then bake for about 50-60 minutes, or until the eggs are completely done.

Makes about 8 servings.
NutriFacts:
Calories 371
  Total Fat 17.4 g
  Saturated Fat 4.2 g
  Polyunsaturated Fat 0.6 g
  Monounsaturated Fat 2.2 g
  Cholesterol 187.0 mg
  Sodium 642.5 mg
  Potassium 433.6 mg
  Total Carbohydrate 24.2 g
  Dietary Fiber 2.0 g
  Sugars 3.5 g
  Protein 26.6 g