A hearty and comforting breakfast bowl featuring crispy tater tots topped with creamy sausage gravy, eggs, and cheese. This dish brings together all the classic breakfast flavors into one cozy, satisfying meal that’s perfect for a slow weekend morning or a special brunch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how this recipe transforms simple ingredients into something that feels indulgent and homemade. The crispy tater tots give every bite a golden crunch, while the creamy sausage gravy adds rich, savory depth. I get to customize the eggs just how I like them, and the melted cheddar ties everything together. It’s one of those meals that feels like a big, warm hug in a bowl.
Ingredients
(Here's a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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4 cups frozen tater tots
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½ lb ground breakfast sausage (sage or your choice)
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2–3 cloves garlic, minced
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3 tablespoon all-purpose flour
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2 cups cream (half-and-half or whole milk)
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Pinch of ground nutmeg
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Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
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4 large eggs (fried, scrambled, or as preferred)
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½ cup grated cheddar cheese
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Fresh chives or green onions, for garnish
Directions
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I start by cooking the frozen tater tots according to the package instructions—either baked or air-fried until golden and crispy.
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While those cook, I heat a skillet over medium-high with a little oil and brown the sausage, breaking it into crumbles for about 5–6 minutes.
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I stir in the minced garlic and let it cook for another minute until it smells fragrant.
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I reduce the heat to medium-low, then sprinkle in the flour in two batches, stirring well and cooking for about a minute to get rid of the raw taste.
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Slowly, I whisk in the cream or milk, stirring constantly to make sure the gravy stays smooth.
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I season with salt, pepper, and just a touch of nutmeg. Then I let it simmer, stirring often, until the gravy thickens to a nice pourable consistency—about 8–10 minutes.
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While that simmers, I cook the eggs the way I like them—sunny-side-up is my go-to.
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I divide the crispy tater tots into four bowls and ladle the warm sausage gravy on top.
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Each bowl gets an egg, a sprinkle of cheddar, and a garnish of fresh chives or green onions.
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I serve it immediately while everything is hot and gooey.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 4 generous servings. It takes about 10 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to cook, so I usually have it on the table in around 30 minutes. Perfect for a relaxed breakfast or weekend brunch.
Variations
I like switching things up depending on what I have on hand. To lighten it up, I go with turkey sausage and low-fat milk. Sometimes I toss in sautéed veggies like bell peppers, onions, or spinach for added color and nutrition. When I’m in the mood for heat, I use spicy sausage or add a dash of hot sauce to the gravy. And for gluten-free needs, I just use gluten-free flour and certified gluten-free tater tots.
Storage/Reheating
If I’m making this ahead, I store the gravy and tater tots separately in airtight containers in the fridge. They keep well for up to 2 days. When reheating, I warm the tots in the oven or air fryer to get them crispy again and gently reheat the gravy on the stovetop. I prepare fresh eggs when serving, so everything tastes just right.
FAQs
How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
I swap out the sausage for a plant-based version and use vegetarian-friendly cheese and milk. The result is still rich and comforting.
Can I make the gravy ahead of time?
Yes, I often make the sausage gravy a day ahead. It thickens a bit in the fridge but loosens up nicely when I reheat it on the stovetop with a splash of milk.
What’s the best way to get crispy tater tots?
I prefer air-frying at 400°F or baking them on a wire rack in the oven. It gives them the crispiest texture without needing extra oil.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
I don’t recommend freezing the assembled bowl, but the sausage gravy freezes well. I store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, then thaw and reheat as needed.
What kind of sausage works best?
I like sage breakfast sausage for the most flavor, but any kind of breakfast sausage—mild or spicy—works beautifully in this recipe.
Conclusion
These Tater Tot Breakfast Bowls with Sausage Gravy are everything I crave in a hearty morning meal: crispy, creamy, cheesy, and completely comforting. I love how easy it is to customize and how satisfying it is to serve for family or guests. Whether I’m feeding a crowd or just treating myself, this bowl always hits the spot.
Tater Tot Breakfast Bowls with Sausage Gravy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Bake or air fry, stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Southern‑style
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A hearty and comforting breakfast bowl featuring crispy tater tots topped with creamy sausage gravy, eggs, and cheese.
Ingredients
- 4 cups frozen tater tots
- ½ lb ground breakfast sausage (sage or your choice)
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp all‑purpose flour
- 2 cups cream (half‑and‑half or whole milk)
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 large eggs (fried, scrambled, or as preferred)
- ½ cup grated cheddar cheese
- Fresh chives or green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the frozen tater tots according to package instructions—bake or air‑fry until golden and crispy.
- Meanwhile, in a skillet over medium‑high heat, add a light drizzle of oil and brown the breakfast sausage, breaking into crumbles, about 5–6 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Lower heat to medium‑low, sprinkle in the flour in two additions, stirring to combine and cooking for about 1 minute to remove raw flour taste.
- Slowly whisk in the cream (or milk), stirring after each addition to achieve a smooth gravy.
- Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Simmer gently, stirring often, until the gravy thickens to a pourable consistency, about 8–10 minutes.
- Prepare eggs to your liking (sunny‑side‑up, scrambled, over‑easy, etc.).
- Divide crispy tater tots into four bowls. Spoon sausage gravy over them.
- Top each bowl with one egg, sprinkle with cheddar cheese, and garnish with chives or green onions.
- Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra crispy tots, air‑fry at 400 °F or bake directly on the oven rack or on a wire rack for best air circulation.
- To make gluten‑free: use gluten‑free flour and certified gluten‑free tots.
- To lighten it up: use turkey sausage or low‑fat milk; consider adding sautéed vegetables like peppers, onions, or spinach.
- Spice it up with cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or spicy sausage.
- Make ahead: prepare sausage gravy and tater tots separately; store in the fridge for up to 2 days, then reheat and assemble.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 528 kcal
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