Crunchy tater tots and gooey cheese come together in this easy dish. This easy cheeseburger casserole recipe tastes just like a burger and fries, but without all the work!
When you want a yummy dinner without much prep, casseroles are a great option. We love stuffed pepper casserole, and chicken tater tot casserole around here too. This cheeseburger tater tot casserole is always a crowd-pleaser. Kids and adults both go crazy for layers of flavored beef, bacon, and cheese all topped off with crunchy tater tots. It cooks up quickly and can be made even on busy weeknights.
It has all the delicious flavor of a burger, without having to fry individual patties.
I hope you like this as much as I did. Even the fussiest eaters in my house will often come back for seconds.
Why This Casserole Is a Must Make
- Easy and quick: This easy casserole is going to be on your table in just about 45 minutes.
- Flavors: All your favorite fast-food burger flavors in an easy-to-make casserole.
- Crunchy: I love the crunchy tater tots on top, so yummy!
- Kid-Friendly: What kiddo doesn’t love tots? They can help place them on top too.
Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
- Ground Beef: I use 90% lean so I didn’t have to drain any fat off. If you use 80/20, drain after browning. You could use ground turkey here instead as well for a healthier twist.
- Bacon: I like using microwave bacon to save on cook time. My preferred brand is Hormel Black Label.
- Mustard: I prefer yellow mustard. However, spicy brown or sweet and hot would also be yummy.
- Milk: If you don’t want to make your own sauce, you can use a can of cream soup here.
- Shredded Cheese: I like using sharp cheddar here. However, Colby, pepper jack, or even American would be good too.
- Tater Tots: I like using mini tater tots for an ultra crunchy topping.
- Toppings: I used my favorite burger toppings: ketchup, mustard, pickles, and onions. However, feel free to use your favorites. Only yummy options would be crumbled bacon, relish, lettuce, tomato, or even fry sauce.
How To Make Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
Prep: Preheat the oven and grease your pan.
Cook Beef: Brown ground beef and onion. Stir in salt/pepper, ketchup, bacon, and mustard. Add to prepared pan.
Make Roux: Melt butter, and stir in flour. Cook until golden brown. Whisk in milk and cook for 5 more minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Pour over beef.
Top It Off: Top with Tater Tots. Top with Shredded Cheese and bake another 10 minutes.
Tips and Tricks
- Reheating: To help tater tots stay crispy reheat in the oven at 400. Cover the casserole and heat it until it is warmed through.
- Freezing: This recipe can be frozen before baking. Thaw overnight and allow to sit on the counter before baking. I don’t like freezing this casserole after baking as the tots can get soggy. It is also great to make two at once: bake one and freeze one for next time.
- Bake uncovered. If your tots begin to brown too quickly, you can cover them with foil if needed.
Craving More Casseroles?
Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Easy Chicken Tortilla Casserole
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Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Lean Ground Beef
- 1 Sweet Onion Diced
- 6 Slices Bacon Cooked Crisp and Crumbled
- ⅔ Cup Ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons Yellow Mustard
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 2 Tablespoons Flour
- 1 ½ Cups Milk
- Salt/Pepper
- 2 Cups Sharp Cheese Divided
- 1 Bag Tater Tots
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease casserole dish with non stick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet brown ground beef and onion. Stir in bacon, ketchup, mustard, and salt/pepper to taste. Add to prepared dish.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in flour a little at a time. Cook until golden. Stir in milk until fully combined. Season with salt/pepper. Cook 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from heat, and stir in 1 ½ cup of cheese. Pour over meat mixture.
- Place tater tots on top of cheese sauce. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and cook for 3-5 more minutes.
Notes
- Ground Beef: I use 90% lean. If you use 80/20, drain after browning.
- Bacon: I like using microwave bacon to save on cook time. My preferred brand is Hormel Black Label.
- Mustard: I prefer yellow mustard. However, spicy brown or sweet and hot would also be yummy.
- Milk: If you don't want to make your own sauce, you can use a can of cream soup here.
- Tater Tots: I like using mini tater tots for an ultra crunchy topping.
- Toppings: I used my favorite burger toppings: ketchup, mustard, pickles, and onions. However, feel free to use your favorites. Only yummy options would be crumbled bacon, relish, lettuce, tomato, or even fry sauce.
- Reheating: To help tater tots stay crispy reheat in the oven at 400 degrees F.
- Freezing: This recipe can be frozen before baking. Thaw overnight and allow to sit on the counter before baking.
- Bake uncovered. If your tots begin to brown too quickly, you can cover them with foil if needed.
Nutrition
Recipe adapted via My Baking Addiction
This will be a family favorite for sure! It was easy to make and I can’t wait to dig in once it comes out of the oven.
Here in Minnesota we take the “easy” route and just use Campbell’s Cheddar cheese soup. Saves even more time on the roux route!
Lisa Johnson
Clear Lake, MN
Hi Lisa,
That sounds divine, I’ll try it that way next time.
What a great family recipe! Even my picky son loved this. This is a keeper!