You Should Definitely Make This Spam Potato Casserole
Spam is a block of salty, mind-boggling pleasure in the usual food scenario, but bake it with eggs and potatoes and it takes it to a whole other level. This casserole is a cross between fast food and finesse, but maybe it’s just a state of mind. Either way, you should definitely treat yourself to a Spam and tater tot casserole.
This dish, which everyone will love, is a prime example of the great results you can get with creative packaged foods . Spam and tater tot casserole uses these store-bought ingredients of the same name, no need to cook and boil protein or potatoes, except for onion powder and paprika to decorate eggs, the components are already seasoned. I especially liked the specific use of smoked paprika. It’s not as obvious a flavor enhancer as garlic powder, but it did wonders for enhancing spam’s smoky flavor.
I was expecting this dish to taste great, but I was in no way prepared for how potato tortillas would change the overall texture. They are added straight out of the freezer to the mix and do not need to be thawed, so I assumed that the potato chips would end up being individual, distinguishable potato chunks. Instead, the tortillas softened and blended seamlessly into the fluffy egg base, infusing the entire casserole with potato flavor. Any bits of potato that stuck out of the mixture on top browned nicely, giving me the overall impression that I was eating a gourmet fried bread potato pudding.
I came across this ingenious recipe on the Spam website, and while I think the ingredients and instructions are accurate for the most part, there are a few things to keep in mind to make your casserole a success. The recipe calls for “one bag” of potatoes, but does not specify what size the bag is. A 28oz bag compared to a 5lb bag is a big difference. I used a 28oz bag ( Ore-Ida tater babies ) and felt it could be even better with a few less.
The recipe also doesn’t tell you how to make a casserole dish. Oil is a damn thing. Not a big loss if you forget to do this, but I prefer my casserole pieces not to resist. Brush the dish quickly with butter along the bottom and sides to keep the eggs from sticking. To give the casserole a finished look, reserve a cup of cheese and a cup of toasted spam cubes to top the casserole before baking. The picture on the Spam site shows the top of the casserole with very crispy meat pieces, but if not put off, then there will not be such a picturesque top.
This last tip is crucial: don’t fry it for 15-20 minutes as directed in the recipe. I don’t know what kind of fryer they have in the spam test kitchen, but it’s too long for my fry function. I actually didn’t need to fry mine at all because it was perfectly golden and crispy after 45 minutes of regular baking, plus the spam is pan fried in the second stage so it’s already crispy. If you think toasting is a good idea, do it for 3 minutes and keep an eye on every extra minute.
You can even explore beyond spam and potatoes. Try adding other spices, chopped bacon, chopped herbs, or mix with a tablespoon of barbecue sauce. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be on your way to making the perfect casserole that floats for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Modified Tot Spam Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 jar of spam, ½” cube
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 10 eggs, beaten
- 18 or 19 ounces potatoes (about ⅔ of a 28 ounce bag)
- 3 cups loosely grated cheddar
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter an 8″ x 10″ or so baking dish.
In a skillet over medium heat, sauté onion in oil until translucent. Set aside in a large bowl. In the same skillet, fry the diced spam until crispy and browned on at least one side of each cube. Add everything but a meager cup of spam cubes to a large bowl.
Reserve that cup of spam cubes and a meager cup of shredded cheese for topping,
Add dry seasonings to bowl and stir. Add the eggs, tortillas and remaining cheese and stir to combine everything evenly. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Scatter reserved spam and cheese on top. Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 45 minutes. If desired, toast at the end for 3-5 minutes for additional browning of the top. Cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.