Description
Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole combines savory ground beef, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and golden tater tots in one hearty, comforting casserole. Optional onions, pickles, mustard, and ketchup add even more classic cheeseburger flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ lb ground beef, preferably 80/20
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 32 oz frozen tater tots
- 1 small onion, diced or sliced
- 2–3 tbsp diced dill pickles, optional
- 1 tbsp ketchup, optional
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard, optional
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Optional: extra cheddar cheese for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer to paper towels to drain, then crumble into small pieces. Reserve a little bacon fat in the skillet.
- Add the ground beef to the same skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in the diced onion and cook until softened. Add the pickles, ketchup, and mustard if using.
- Spread the seasoned beef mixture evenly in the bottom of the casserole dish. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the beef.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef and bacon layer.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots evenly over the top, covering the casserole completely.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- For an extra-cheesy topping, sprinkle additional cheddar over the casserole during the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded sharp cheddar for the best flavor and melting.
- An 80/20 ground beef blend gives the casserole a juicy, flavorful texture; leaner beef can also be used.
- Arrange the tater tots evenly so each serving gets a crispy topping.
- Serve with pickles, relish, salad, or steamed vegetables.
- For a lower-carb version, replace the tater tots with roasted cauliflower or zucchini.
- To make it vegetarian, use plant-based ground meat and vegetarian bacon or omit the bacon.
- Assemble up to 1 day ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Add 5–10 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from cold.
- Refrigerate leftovers for 3–4 days or freeze for 2–3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Casserole, Comfort Food
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1050 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: bacon cheeseburger tater tot casserole, cheeseburger casserole, tater tot casserole, bacon casserole, ground beef casserole, easy dinner