The Best Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole Recipe For Cozy Nights

Comfort food reaches new heights with this irresistible cheeseburger tater tot casserole that promises to satisfy even the most discerning appetite.

Layers of savory ground beef blend seamlessly with crispy golden tater tots and melted cheese, creating a mouthwatering dish that screams pure indulgence.

Every bite delivers a perfect combination of classic burger flavors and comforting casserole warmth.

The ingredients mingle together in a harmonious dance of textures and tastes that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Crispy on top and creamy underneath, this casserole transforms simple ingredients into a spectacular meal.

Hearty, filling, and packed with flavor, this recipe is sure to become a weeknight dinner staple that brings smiles to hungry faces.

Prepare to fall in love with a dish that turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Why Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole Is a Family Fave

• A mouthwatering twist on classic cheeseburger flavors that brings pure joy to the dinner table with minimal cooking skills required.
• One-pan wonder that combines ground beef, crispy tater tots, and cheesy goodness into a simple meal perfect for busy families and hungry crowds.
• Packed with kid-friendly ingredients that guarantee clean plates and happy faces, making dinnertime stress-free and delicious.
• Flexible recipe that allows quick additions like diced onions, extra cheese, or different protein options to match family preferences and pantry ingredients.

Ingredients for Cheesy Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that forms the base of the cheeseburger flavor profile.
• Frozen Tater Tots: Crispy potato bites that provide a delicious and crunchy texture to the casserole.
• Cheddar Cheese: A sharp and melty cheese that adds rich, tangy flavor to the dish.

• Sour Cream, Condensed Soup, Milk: These ingredients create a creamy and smooth sauce that binds the casserole together.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: An extra layer of cheesy goodness that melts on top of the casserole.

• Worcestershire Sauce, Garlic Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: These seasonings add depth and traditional cheeseburger-style flavor to the beef mixture.
• Cooked Bacon: A crispy and savory ingredient that provides additional smoky flavor to the casserole.

Tools for Easy Tater Tot Casserole Night

• Large Skillet: Perfect for browning ground beef and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• 9×13-inch Baking Pan: Essential for creating the casserole's base and ensuring even cooking.
• Spatula: Great for mixing tater tots and spreading the mixture evenly.
• Cooking Spray: Helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
• Measuring Spoons: Crucial for accurately measuring seasonings and spices.
• Colander: Useful for draining excess grease from the cooked beef.
• Cheese Grater: Helpful if you're grating your own cheddar cheese.

Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole Cooking Guide

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350F and give your 9×13-inch baking pan a quick spray with nonstick cooking spray to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Toss ground beef into a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat.

Keep stirring until the meat transforms into a beautiful golden-brown color.

Drain away any extra grease to keep things light.

Step 3: Spice Up the Meat

• Worcestershire sauce
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir these seasonings into the meat until every bite is packed with deliciousness.

Step 4: Create the Creamy Base

• Cheddar cheese condensed soup
• Sour cream
• Cooked bacon
• Milk

Mix everything until the beef looks gloriously coated and creamy.

Step 5: Fill the Baking Pan

Pour the entire beef mixture into your prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly.

Step 6: Layer the Crunch

• Frozen tater tots
• Shredded cheddar cheese

Gently mix so every tot gets a delicious coating.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes.

You’ll know it’s ready when the edges are bubbling with excitement and the top looks golden and crispy.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Pull out your masterpiece and serve immediately while it’s piping hot and irresistibly delicious.

Top Tips for Gooey Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

• Remove all excess grease from ground beef to prevent a greasy, heavy casserole and ensure a crisp texture.
• Mix different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar and monterey jack for a more complex, rich flavor profile.
• Add diced onions or minced garlic while cooking beef to enhance the overall taste and create more aromatic layers.
• Arrange tater tots in a single layer and slightly overlap for maximum crispiness and golden-brown coverage.
• Prepare the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld together before baking.

Variations for Cheesy Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

• Vegetarian Veggie Delight: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a meat-free version that keeps the casserole's hearty texture.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Crunch: Swap tater tots with cauliflower tots or roasted cauliflower florets to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining a crispy element.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Meal: Use gluten-free condensed soup and check that all ingredients are certified gluten-free to make this recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Add diced green chilies, jalapeños, and swap regular cheddar for pepper jack cheese to give the casserole a zesty southwestern flavor profile.

Serving Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole at the Table

• Comfort Food Companions: Serve this hearty casserole with fresh sides that balance its richness.
• Crisp Green Salad: Toss a light mixed green salad with tangy vinaigrette to cut through the casserole's heavy flavors and add refreshing crunch.
• Pickled Veggie Delight: Add quick-pickled cucumber or refrigerator pickles on the side to provide a zesty, acidic contrast that brightens the entire meal.
• Cool Dip Bonus: Offer ranch or sriracha mayo as a dipping sauce for extra flavor excitement, letting guests customize their plate with a personal touch.

How to Store Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the casserole stays fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date for easy tracking.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming. Add a splash of milk to prevent dryness.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in this Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole?

The key ingredients are ground beef, tater tots, cheddar cheese soup, sour cream, bacon, milk, and shredded cheddar cheese. These ingredients combine to create a hearty and flavorful casserole that tastes like a cheeseburger.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Yes, you can substitute ground turkey for ground beef. Just make sure to cook the turkey thoroughly and drain any excess fat. The flavor profile will be slightly different, but the casserole will still be delicious.

• How do I know when the casserole is fully cooked?

The casserole is ready when the edges are bubbling and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy. This typically takes 40-45 minutes in a 350F oven.

Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

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4.9 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty cheeseburger tater tot casserole delivers classic comfort with ground beef, crispy potatoes, and melted cheese. Midwest home cooking shines through this simple, satisfying meal that families crave.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 32 ounces (907 grams) frozen tater tots
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Dairy and Creamy Ingredients:

• 10.5 ounces (298 grams) cheddar cheese condensed soup
• 8 ounces (227 grams) sour cream
• 1/2 cup milk

Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 3/4 cup bacon, cooked and chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
2. In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat, continuously breaking apart the meat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat thoroughly.
3. Enhance the beef’s flavor by incorporating Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly.
4. Combine condensed cheddar cheese soup, sour cream, crumbled bacon, and milk with the seasoned beef, mixing until the ingredients create a uniform consistency.
5. Transfer the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even layer across the pan’s surface.
6. Sprinkle frozen tater tots and shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture, gently folding to coat the tots with the creamy base.
7. Distribute the casserole ingredients uniformly to guarantee consistent cooking and bake for 40-45 minutes until the edges become golden and bubbly.
8. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving hot, allowing flavors to settle and casserole to set slightly.

Notes

• Customize Proteins: Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version of this hearty casserole.
• Reduce Sodium: Use low-sodium condensed soup and reduce added salt to make the dish more heart-friendly and diet-conscious.
• Boost Nutrition: Sneak in finely chopped vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini into the beef mixture to increase the nutritional value without compromising taste.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the casserole up to a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Simply bake when ready to serve, perfect for busy weeknight meals or meal prep.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg