Effortless Tater Tot Sausage Gravy

Featured in Master the Art of Main Course Creation.

Start with golden baked tater tots, then whip up sausage gravy in a skillet. Cook the sausage first, then melt in flour and slowly add milk, whisking into a thick creamy sauce. Generously pour that hot gravy on your bowl of tater tots. Finish with your favorite toppings like green onions or a sprinkle of cheese. You’ll have a warm and comforting dish that’s perfect when you’ve got time to chill or feel like something extra tasty in the morning.

Rana
Updated on Mon, 19 May 2025 23:15:05 GMT
Tater Tot Breakfast Bowl with Sausage Gravy Pin it
Tater Tot Breakfast Bowl with Sausage Gravy | flavorsenthusiasts.com

Kicking off the day with a Tater Tot Breakfast Bowl covered in sausage gravy is pure comfort. Every bite's crunchy and cozy, and it couldn't be simpler. Makes plain toast seem boring and gives you all those classic greasy spoon vibes—right from home.

The first time I threw this together, it was after an early cool walk on Saturday. Ever since, my family's hooked—especially when the sausage starts sizzling in the pan.

Tasty Ingredients

  • Optional toppings: layer on shredded cheese for more flavor, or throw on green onions for a little freshness
  • Salt and pepper: sprinkle on freshly cracked pepper and salt for the right finish
  • Whole milk: use it for that silky gravy, and fresher milk tastes the best
  • All purpose flour: thickens everything up; classic unbleached is the way to go
  • Ground breakfast sausage: bulk sausage that's not too sweet or hot works best, unless you really want a kick
  • Frozen tater tots: plain ones with fewer extras get the crispiest and taste just like pure potato

Easy Steps

Bowl Assembly:
Pop steaming tater tots into a bowl, douse with that hearty sausage gravy, throw on some cheese or green onion if you feel fancy, then dig in while it's fresh for the best crunch and creamy contrast.
Add Seasoning and Simmer:
Let the gravy bubble softly for about 5-7 minutes, stirring regularly. It’ll thicken nicely. Salt and pepper to taste—test as you go so it tastes just right for you.
Add Milk and Stir:
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking like crazy—this catches all the flavor from the skillet. Whisk until it’s totally smooth and free of lumps.
Make Your Roux:
Once sausage is cooked, toss the flour over it. Leave a little oil in there for texture. Stir non-stop for a few minutes, letting it bubble until it smells toasty and blends into a paste.
Sizzle the Sausage:
While the tots are baking, heat up a big skillet and add sausage. Break it up, fry it till it's golden brown, hardly any pink left. The browned bits make your gravy awesome.
Get Tater Tots Ready:
Fire up your oven per the bag’s instructions. Spread tots in a single layer, bake till super crisp, flipping halfway for even color. This helps them stay crunchy—even after gravy goes on.
A bowl filled with Tater Tots and toppings. Pin it
A bowl filled with Tater Tots and toppings. | flavorsenthusiasts.com

Best part? Fishing out the crunchiest, golden tot buried under warm gravy. It always makes me think of sleepy holidays, everyone laughing together at the table.

Storage Friendly

Leftover gravy chills fine in the fridge for about three days. Warm it back up on the stove with a splash of milk if it’s thickened up. Tater tots stay crispiest right away, but toss them in the air fryer or a hot oven if you want to revive them.

Swaps and Alternatives

No sausage? Use spicy chorizo or your favorite veggie substitute. Only got two percent or half & half? Either one does the trick. To go gluten-free, just swap in a gluten free flour blend—the gravy will still thicken right up.

Bowl piled high with Tater Tots and sausage gravy. Pin it
Bowl piled high with Tater Tots and sausage gravy. | flavorsenthusiasts.com

Ways to Serve

This dish is super filling, but it’s awesome alongside fresh fruit or a basic salad. Want to make it fancy? Top with a runny fried or poached egg and a bit of hot sauce for extra flavor.

History and Traditions

People in the US fell for tater tots in the 1950s since they were quick and tasty—now they’re in casseroles and on breakfast plates all over. Sausage gravy? Longtime favorite in the South for hearty morning meals.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I make thicker sausage gravy?

Let it bubble on the stove a bit longer or sprinkle in some extra flour and mix until it thickens just how you like.

→ Could I use homemade tater tots too?

Absolutely, homemade ones bring more flavor and crisp. Just bake them until they're nice and golden before adding everything else.

→ What other toppings taste good?

Go for green onions, shredded cheese, some diced tomatoes, or even put a fried egg on top if you want something different.

→ Can I prep this breakfast bowl the night before?

Gravy is easy to make ahead and just warm up gently. For the best crunch, pop the tater tots in the oven last minute before eating.

→ Good sides for this dish?

Fresh-sliced fruit, a simple green salad, or even just a glass of orange juice go really well to lighten things up.

Effortless Tater Tot Sausage Gravy

Load up your breakfast with crunchy tater tots and a creamy sausage gravy—so easy and extra hearty.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes
By: Rana

Category: Main Courses

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 breakfast bowls)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Base

01 1 bag of frozen tater tots

→ Gravy

02 Salt to your liking
03 A bit of black pepper for taste
04 480 millilitres whole milk
05 30 grams plain flour
06 450 grams ground breakfast sausage

→ Optional garnishes

07 Green onions, sliced up
08 A handful of shredded cheese

Instructions

Step 01

Dish out the hot and toasty tater tots into your bowls, smother them with rich sausage gravy, then toss on some cheese and chopped green onions if you want. Dig in right away.

Step 02

Stir in some salt and black pepper until you’re happy with the flavor.

Step 03

While whisking the whole time, slowly blend in your milk and let it bubble on low heat for five to seven minutes until everything gets thick.

Step 04

Sprinkle your flour on the cooked sausage and mix it for a couple of minutes, making sure it looks well blended.

Step 05

Toss your ground breakfast sausage in a big skillet over medium. Keep breaking it up and keep cooking until you see lots of crisp brown bits.

Step 06

Set your oven using the tater tot package instructions and cook the tots until they’re nice and crunchy.

Notes

  1. Want extra warm comfort? Heat your bowls first so they don’t cool down your tots and gravy so fast.

Tools You'll Need

  • Oven
  • Big baking tray
  • Large skillet
  • Whisk
  • Spatula

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Has wheat (gluten), dairy, and probably pork.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 720
  • Total Fat: 44 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 58 g
  • Protein: 22 g