Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
My cheeseburger tater tot casserole features seasoned ground beef, crunchy tots, and plenty of melty cheese. This easy recipe tastes like a burger and fries but requires way less effort.
When you want a yummy dinner without much work, casseroles are a great option. We love stuffed pepper casserole, enchilada casserole, and chicken tater tot casserole when we're craving comfort food. This cheeseburger tater tot casserole is always a crowd-pleaser. Kids and adults alike go crazy for layers of flavored beef, bacon, and melty cheese topped off with crunchy tater tots. It cooks up quickly and can even be made ahead on busy weeknights.
It has all the delicious flavor of a burger without the need to stand over a hot stove frying 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. It's also great for potlucks! Bonus: It freezes well. I like to make 2 at a time.Sometimes I'll make one and freeze one. Other times I'll share the second with a family nearby. This dish goes great with our crock pot bacon baked beans.
Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
- Ground Beef: I used 90% lean beef, so I didn't have to drain any fat off.
- 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.
- Shredded Cheese: I like using sharp cheddar here for maximum flavor.
- Toppings: I used my favorite burger toppings: ketchup, mustard, pickles, and onions.
- Other yummy options to consider: crumbled bacon, relish, lettuce, tomato, or even thousand island dressing.
Use Mini Tater Tots
They cook up super crispy and you get more in each bite.
How To Make Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
- Cook Beef: Brown ground beef and onion. Stir in seasonings, soup, ketchup, bacon, and mustard. Add to prepared pan.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Pour over beef.
- Top It Off: Top with Tater Tots. Top with Shredded Cheese and bake for around 30 minutes
️Krystle's Tips and Tricks️
- Bake uncovered: For the crispiest tater tots, do not cover with foil.
- Perfect Rows: Alternate rows of horizontal and then vertical tots. Or if you're in a hurry, just throw them on and call it "rustic".
- Make Ahead: Make up to one day in advance. Add tots just before baking.
- Easy Cleanup: Line your pan foil and spray with nonstick spray.
More Craveable Casseroles
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📖 Recipe
Easy Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
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Ingredients
- 1 Pound Lean Ground Beef
- 1 Sweet Onion Diced
- 6 Slices Bacon Cooked Crisp and Crumbled
- 1 Tablespoon Hamburger Seasoning I used Mccormick's Grill Mates
- ⅔ Cup Ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons Yellow Mustard
- 1 Can Cheddar Cheese Soup
- 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, cheese sour, and hamburger seasoning. Add to prepared dish.
- 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 used 90% lean beef, so I didn't have to drain any fat off. 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.
- Shredded Cheese: I like using sharp cheddar here for maximum flavor.
- 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.
- Bake uncovered: For the crispiest tater tots, do not cover with foil.
- Perfect Rows: Alternate rows of horizontal and then vertical tots. Or if you're in a hurry, just throw them on and call it "rustic".
- Make Ahead: Make up to one day in advance. Add tots just before baking.
- Easy Cleanup: Line your pan foil and spray with nonstick spray.
Nutrition
My son rated this 5 stars and his favorite new recipe - thanks!
My family loved this! It was so damn good!
Yes! I love deconstructed foods like this one! I was craving a cheeseburger and I made this instead and I was so satisfied!
This casserole was so delicious! So easy and great for the whole family to enjoy.
Soooo. Good!!!!! These be er work out, so I was skeptical...
It stood up, presented itself, and proceeded to slap me across the taste buds!!!
Definitely a new "go to"
LOL this is one of my favorite blog comments ever, thanks for making our recipe Jon!
My kids are obsessed with this casserole! And it's so easy!
By far mine and my hubby's favorite casserole! Can't wait to make this again very soon! So easy and very yummy!
I LOVE this cheeseburger twist!
This cheeseburger tater tot casserole needs to be added to our weeknight dinner rotation!
This casserole is so rich and flavorful! My family will go crazy over them!
I have a house full of teenagers that are going to be happy campers! Who can resist tater tots!
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.
What size casserole dish?
Hi Pete,
This recipe uses a 9x13 casserole dish.
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!