I was introduced to tater tots shortly after I moved to the States. To be honest, I was skeptical at first. I’m a die-hard, number 1 French fries fan! But after one bite of that crispy, golden exterior and tender interior, I had a new favorite comfort food! Then I started asking friends for their favorite tater tot recipes and experimenting with variations. And this cheeseburger tater tot casserole recipe finds itself on my meal rotation every couple of weeks or so. Why? Because it’s fast, easy, and fun to personalize. Plus, being loaded with tater tots makes it 100% kid-approved!
Recipe Ingredients
How to Make Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
Prep the Ingredients
Cook the Bacon – Cook chopped bacon on the stovetop in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until crispy and golden, 5-7 minutes. Transfer cooked bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve 2-3 tablespoons of bacon drippings in the skillet. (Photo 1)Cook the Hamburger – Add ground beef to the pan and cook until no pink remains. Drain excess fat from the pan. Then add onion, garlic, tomatoes, and steak seasoning. Cook, stirring frequently, until onion is translucent, 3-5 minutes. (Photos 2-4)Add Sauces – Reduce the heat to low, then add mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and half of the cooked bacon. Mix until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (Photos 5-6)
Assemble Your Casserole
Assembly – Transfer the burger mixture to your baking pan and spread it out evenly. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and sprinkle with the remaining bacon. Arrange your tater tots on top of the cheese and bacon in a single layer. Bake – Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes, or until it bubbles around the edges and the tater tots brown to a beautiful golden. Top it Off – Garnish with your favorite cheeseburger toppings and serve.
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can assemble this recipe (except the tater tots) the day before for an even easier weeknight meal. Cover the casserole and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Then when you’re ready to bake, bring it to room temperature, layer on your tater tots, and follow the baking instructions. Even better, double the recipe, then freeze one of your baked casseroles. Thaw in the fridge overnight! Your future self will thank you!
Serving and Storage Instructions
Refrigerate your leftover casserole in a sealed container for up to five days. Reheat in the oven for 30 minutes. Or you can reheat individual pieces in the microwave for 1-2 minutes on High, although the tater tots will lose some of their crispiness.
What to Serve With Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
Cheeseburger casserole with tater tots is a hearty one-dish meal on its own! That said, a light side dish such as avocado corn salad or Greek salad is refreshing and tasty. Or, if you’re looking to amp up the veggies, sauteed zucchini or parmesan-crusted baked asparagus will add color and nutrients to the dinner table!
More Amazing Kid-Friendly Recipes to Try
Conclusion
All the great taste of cheeseburgers and fries without the messy cleanup, bacon cheeseburger tater tot casserole will have everyone singing your praises! What tater tot casserole toppings do you use? Leave me a comment below with your faves!
