Easy Loaded Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
This Loaded Double Cheeseburger Tater Bake is pure, cheesy, tater tot heaven, tasting just like your favorite cheeseburger piled high, but in easy-to-eat casserole form. It's a weeknight hero and a crowd-pleaser.
Equipment
- Large skillet to brown ground beef
- 9x13 inch baking dish for assembling the casserole
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 lbs frozen tater tots The crispy foundation! Use your favorite brand.
- 1 lb ground beef Good quality ground beef is perfect here.
- 1 tsp garlic powder Adds that essential savory depth.
- 1 tsp onion powder Garlic's best friend, boosting that aromatic flavor.
- 0.5 tsp salt Just the right amount to enhance everything.
- 0.5 tsp black pepper A little kick to balance the richness.
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Classic cheeseburger goodness. Sharp or mild, your choice!
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese For extra stretch and gooeyness!
- 4 slices American cheese This is key for that classic diner-style cheeseburger melt. Don't skip it!
- 0.5 cup chopped dill pickles Adds that essential tangy, briny crunch.
- 0.25 cup ketchup Sweet and tangy – classic burger topping!
- 0.25 cup mustard A little zing to balance the flavors.
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley Optional, but a pretty pop of green for garnish!
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While it's heating up, grab a large skillet and brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up as it cooks.
- Once the beef is fully browned, drain off any excess grease. This is important so your casserole isn't oily!
- Return the beef to the skillet (or transfer to a bowl if you prefer). Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Give it a good mix so the flavors are distributed.
- Now for the fun part – assembly! Grab a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly across the bottom.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese over the beef layer. Get it nice and covered in cheesy goodness!
- Arrange the slices of American cheese over the shredded cheese layer. Just tear them or lay them flat to cover as much surface area as you can. This is where the magic melt happens!
- Next, scatter the chopped dill pickles evenly over the cheese layers.
- Dollop or drizzle the ketchup and mustard over the pickle layer. You can swirl it slightly if you like, but it will melt into the casserole anyway.
- Finally, arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top of everything. Try to get them in a nice, even layer so they crisp up beautifully.
- Pop the dish into your preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly around the edges.
- Carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set up slightly.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if you like, and dig in!
Notes
Tips for Success:
- Drain That Grease! Make sure you drain all the excess grease from the cooked ground beef to prevent the casserole from being greasy.
- Single Layer Tots: Arrange the tater tots in a single layer on top for maximum crispiness.
- Don't Rush Resting: Letting the casserole sit for a few minutes after baking helps everything settle and makes it easier to scoop out neat portions.
- Prep Ahead: You can cook and season the ground beef mixture, cool it completely, and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Assemble the casserole (adding cold beef mixture), top with cheese and *frozen* tots, and bake as directed (may need a few extra minutes). Substitutions & Additions:
- Different Meats: Use ground turkey, ground chicken, or plant-based crumbles.
- Cheese Please: Swap cheeses for Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, or a Mexican blend.
- Add Some Veggies: Sauté diced onion, bell pepper, or add a can of drained corn or peas when seasoning the beef.
- Make it Spicy: Add red pepper flakes to the beef or serve with hot sauce/sriracha mayo.
- Other Burger Toppings: Add cooked bacon, sprinkle with sesame seeds before baking, or top with diced raw onion, shredded lettuce, and tomato after baking. How to Store It:
- Let cool completely. Cover tightly with plastic wrap/foil or transfer to airtight containers.
- Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat individual servings in the microwave. For best texture, reheat larger portions covered in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warm, then uncover for the last few minutes to re-crisp tots. FAQs:
- Cannot easily substitute fresh potatoes for tater tots; they would need par-cooking.
- Can assemble layers (except tots) ahead and refrigerate; add frozen tots right before baking to avoid sogginess.
- Serve with a simple green salad, coleslaw, or steamed veggies.
- Can freeze cooked beef/cheese/pickle layers, thaw, then add fresh frozen tots and bake.
- Drain That Grease! Make sure you drain all the excess grease from the cooked ground beef to prevent the casserole from being greasy.
- Single Layer Tots: Arrange the tater tots in a single layer on top for maximum crispiness.
- Don't Rush Resting: Letting the casserole sit for a few minutes after baking helps everything settle and makes it easier to scoop out neat portions.
- Prep Ahead: You can cook and season the ground beef mixture, cool it completely, and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Assemble the casserole (adding cold beef mixture), top with cheese and *frozen* tots, and bake as directed (may need a few extra minutes). Substitutions & Additions:
- Different Meats: Use ground turkey, ground chicken, or plant-based crumbles.
- Cheese Please: Swap cheeses for Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, or a Mexican blend.
- Add Some Veggies: Sauté diced onion, bell pepper, or add a can of drained corn or peas when seasoning the beef.
- Make it Spicy: Add red pepper flakes to the beef or serve with hot sauce/sriracha mayo.
- Other Burger Toppings: Add cooked bacon, sprinkle with sesame seeds before baking, or top with diced raw onion, shredded lettuce, and tomato after baking. How to Store It:
- Let cool completely. Cover tightly with plastic wrap/foil or transfer to airtight containers.
- Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat individual servings in the microwave. For best texture, reheat larger portions covered in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warm, then uncover for the last few minutes to re-crisp tots. FAQs:
- Cannot easily substitute fresh potatoes for tater tots; they would need par-cooking.
- Can assemble layers (except tots) ahead and refrigerate; add frozen tots right before baking to avoid sogginess.
- Serve with a simple green salad, coleslaw, or steamed veggies.
- Can freeze cooked beef/cheese/pickle layers, thaw, then add fresh frozen tots and bake.