Jalapeño Popper Casserole
This spicy, creamy, cheesy casserole captures all the addictive flavors of classic jalapeño poppers in an easy, scoopable bake. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleasing side dish or game-day appetizer.
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 30-35 mins | Serves: 6-8 as a side
Ingredients:
Base Layer:
· 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots (or frozen shredded hash browns)
· 2 tbsp melted butter or olive oil
· ½ tsp garlic powder
· ¼ tsp salt
Creamy Filling:
· 2 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese, softened
· 1 cup sour cream (or full-fat Greek yogurt)
· 4-6 fresh jalapeños, finely diced (seeds/ribs removed for milder heat)
· 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles, drained
· ½ cup crumbled cooked bacon (about 6 slices) or ½ cup real bacon bits
· 1 tsp garlic powder
· ½ tsp onion powder
· ½ tsp smoked paprika
· Salt and black pepper to taste
Cheesy Topping:
· 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese or sharp cheddar
· 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers (or Panko breadcrumbs)
· 3 tbsp melted butter
· Optional garnish: Sliced jalapeños, chopped fresh cilantro, extra bacon
Instructions:
- Prep:
· Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
· Prepare Jalapeños: Wear gloves if sensitive. Halve jalapeños, remove seeds and white ribs for less heat, then finely dice.
- Make the Base:
· In a large bowl, toss the frozen tater tots with the melted butter, garlic powder, and salt.
· Press them evenly into the bottom of the baking dish to form a solid layer.
· Par-bake for 15 minutes while you prepare the filling. This ensures a crispier base.
- Make the Filling:
· In the same bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth.
· Stir in the diced jalapeños, green chiles, bacon, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Assemble:
· Remove the baking dish from the oven. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).
· Spread the creamy jalapeño filling evenly over the par-baked tots.
· Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.
· In a small bowl, mix the crushed crackers with the 3 tbsp melted butter. Sprinkle this buttery crumb topping over the cheese.
- Bake:
· Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown, the cheese is bubbly, and the edges are lightly browned.
· If you want extra browning, broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Serve:
· Let cool for 5-10 minutes to set before scooping.
· Garnish with optional sliced jalapeños, cilantro, or extra bacon.
· Serve warm as a side dish or with tortilla chips for dipping.
Recipe Success Tips:
· Control the Heat: Remove all seeds and ribs from jalapeños for mild, keep some for medium, or add a finely diced serrano pepper for extra hot.
· Soft Cream Cheese: Let it sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes for easy mixing.
· Crispy Topping: The Ritz cracker topping is key for texture—don’t skip it!
· Make-Ahead: Assemble the casserole (without the crumb topping), cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add topping right before baking and add 5-10 minutes to bake time.
Easy Variations:
· Low-Carb/Keto: Replace tater tots with cauliflower florets (roast first) or a layer of cooked, shredded chicken.
· Chicken Popper Casserole: Add 2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken to the cream cheese filling.
· Vegetarian: Omit bacon and add ½ cup of sun-dried tomatoes or roasted corn.
· Spicy Ranch: Stir 1 oz packet of ranch seasoning mix into the cream cheese filling.
Storage & Reheating:
· Leftovers: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
· Reheat: Best in the oven (350°F for 15-20 mins) or air fryer to keep the topping crispy. Microwave will soften the topping.
· Freeze: Assemble and freeze unbaked (without crumb topping). Thaw overnight in fridge, add topping, and bake as directed, adding extra time as needed.
Perfect for potlucks, game day, or a spicy twist on dinner—this casserole disappears fast!