When it comes to comfort food, a few dishes hit the spot like a Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole. With layers of crispy tater tots, seasoned ground beef, gooey melted cheese, and crumbled bacon, this dish combines all the best flavors of a cheeseburger in one simple, hearty casserole. Whether you’re preparing a quick weeknight dinner, serving a crowd at a party, or just indulging in something comforting, this recipe is sure to satisfy everyone at the table.
In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about making this irresistible casserole, including tips for perfecting the recipe, how to customize it to your tastes, and some helpful serving suggestions. Let’s dive into the details of creating this Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole!
Why You’ll Love This Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
There’s no shortage of reasons why this dish will become a favorite in your home. The combination of savory flavors, crispy textures, and classic comfort food ingredients creates a dish that appeals to everyone. Here’s why you’re going to love it:
-
Satisfying and Hearty: With its hearty ground beef, crispy tater tots, and plenty of cheese, this casserole is packed with the kind of comfort food goodness everyone craves.
-
Family-Friendly: It’s a perfect dish for feeding the whole family or serving a crowd. Kids and adults alike will appreciate the familiar flavors of a cheeseburger, served in casserole form.
-
Easy to Make: This recipe is incredibly straightforward, with simple ingredients and minimal prep time. It’s perfect for busy nights when you need to get dinner on the table fast.
-
Customizable: Feel free to add your favorite cheeseburger toppings or make substitutions to suit dietary preferences. This dish is versatile, so you can tailor it to your tastes.
Ingredients for the Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
To make this tasty casserole, you’ll need a few staple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
-
1 lb ground beef: The heart of this dish, offering a rich, savory base for the casserole. You can also use lean ground beef or ground turkey for a lighter version.
-
1 small onion, diced: Adds flavor and a bit of sweetness to balance the savory beef and cheese.
-
2 cloves garlic, minced: Garlic elevates the dish with its fragrant, bold flavor.
-
1 tsp salt: Enhances the flavors of the beef and helps balance the other ingredients.
-
½ tsp black pepper: Adds a little spice to the dish.
-
1 tsp smoked paprika: Brings a smoky, rich flavor to complement the beef and bacon.
-
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese: The classic cheese for cheeseburgers, it adds creaminess and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
-
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese: Provides a stretchy, gooey texture when melted.
-
8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled: Bacon is a must-have in this casserole to add crispy, salty bites that elevate the entire dish.
-
1 (32 oz) bag tater tots: These frozen potato tots form the crispy, golden top layer that gives the casserole its satisfying crunch.
-
½ cup ketchup: Adds a tangy sweetness to the beef mixture, bringing the flavor of a classic cheeseburger to life.
-
¼ cup yellow mustard: Complements the ketchup with its slight tang, giving a true cheeseburger feel.
-
¼ cup dill pickles, chopped: Pickles bring a bright, tangy bite to balance the richness of the meat and cheese.
-
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish): Fresh parsley adds color and a touch of freshness to finish the dish.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
Now that you know what goes into this delicious casserole, let’s walk through the steps to make it.
1. Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). This temperature will ensure that the tater tots cook perfectly crispy while the casserole ingredients come together beautifully.
2. Cook the Ground Beef
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic as the beef cooks, stirring occasionally. Once the beef is fully cooked and no longer pink, drain any excess fat. This step is important to prevent the casserole from becoming greasy.
3. Season the Beef Mixture
Once the beef is drained, add the salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika to the beef mixture. Stir to combine the seasonings, ensuring that every bit of the meat is flavored well. Then, add the ketchup, mustard, and chopped pickles. Mix everything together until the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
4. Layer the Tater Tots
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a bit of cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking. Spread half of the tater tots evenly on the bottom of the dish. These tots will form the bottom layer of your casserole, providing a base for the beef mixture.
5. Add the Beef Mixture
Spoon the seasoned beef mixture over the first layer of tater tots. Use a spoon or spatula to spread it out evenly so that every bite will have a good amount of beef and seasonings.
6. Top with Cheese and Bacon
Next, sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the beef mixture, making sure to cover it completely. The melted cheese will bind everything together and create a gooey, cheesy layer that everyone loves. Then, top with the remaining tater tots, creating the final layer of crispy tots.
Finish by sprinkling the crumbled bacon over the top. The bacon will crisp up in the oven, adding a delightful crunch and smoky flavor to the casserole.
7. Bake the Casserole
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy. The cheese should be melted and bubbly, and the bacon should be slightly crisp. If you like your tater tots extra crispy, you can bake for a few more minutes, but be careful not to overcook.
8. Garnish and Serve
Once the casserole is out of the oven, sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the top for a burst of color and freshness. Serve hot and enjoy the incredible flavors of this Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole!
Tips and Tricks for Perfecting the Casserole
-
Make it Spicy: If you like a little heat, consider adding some chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
-
Use Lean Meat: For a healthier version of this casserole, opt for lean ground beef or ground turkey to reduce the fat content.
-
Double the Recipe: If you’re serving a large group, feel free to double the recipe and use a bigger baking dish. Just make sure to adjust the baking time accordingly.
-
Add Extra Veggies: For some added nutrition, you can sneak in some chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach into the beef mixture.
More Related Recipes You Might Enjoy
If you’re a fan of casseroles with hearty ingredients, you might also enjoy these other delicious recipes:
-
Smoky BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole – This BBQ-inspired casserole brings the smoky flavor of bacon and cheeseburgers together in a new, exciting way.
-
Loaded Cowboy BBQ Tater Tot Nachos – An exciting take on nachos with crispy tater tots, BBQ beef, and all your favorite toppings.
-
Ultimate Beef Nachos – Perfect for any gathering, these nachos are loaded with seasoned beef, cheese, and all the fixings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the casserole the night before and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, simply place it in the oven and cook as directed. This makes it a great option for meal prepping or when you’re hosting a party.
Can I freeze this Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole?
Absolutely! You can freeze the casserole either before or after baking. To freeze before baking, assemble the casserole as directed, then cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap and store it in the freezer. When ready to bake, cook directly from the freezer, adding a little extra time to ensure it’s heated through. To freeze after baking, let the casserole cool completely, then wrap it up and store it in the freezer for up to three months.
Can I use other types of cheese in this casserole?
Yes, feel free to experiment with different cheeses! You could use provolone, gouda, or even pepper jack for a different flavor profile. Just keep in mind that some cheeses may melt differently than others, so adjust accordingly.
How can I make this casserole spicier?
To spice things up, try adding some chopped jalapeños, chili powder, or hot sauce to the beef mixture. You can also use spicy mustard in place of regular mustard to add some extra heat.
Conclusion
Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole is the kind of feel-good, crowd-pleasing dish that brings everyone to the table with a smile. From the golden, crispy tater tots to the juicy, flavorful ground beef and the gooey layers of melted cheese, every bite is packed with comforting, crave-worthy flavors. It’s the ultimate mashup of a classic cheeseburger and a hearty casserole—easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and totally customizable.
Whether you’re whipping it up for a cozy family dinner, prepping it ahead for a busy weeknight, or bringing it to a potluck, this casserole never disappoints. Plus, it’s freezer-friendly and perfect for leftovers—if there are any!
Once you try this recipe, don’t be surprised if it earns a permanent spot in your regular dinner rotation. And if you’re hungry for more cheesy, meaty, tater-tot-filled deliciousness, be sure to check out the related recipes above for even more bold and comforting meal ideas.
Print
Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food—crispy tater tots, juicy seasoned beef, smoky bacon, and gooey melted cheese all layered into one deliciously easy dinner. Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or feeding a hungry crowd!
Ingredients
-
1 lb ground beef
-
1 small onion, diced
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 tsp salt
-
½ tsp black pepper
-
1 tsp smoked paprika
-
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
-
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
-
8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
-
1 (32 oz) bag tater tots
-
½ cup ketchup
-
¼ cup yellow mustard
-
¼ cup dill pickles, chopped
-
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
-
Preheat the Oven: Preheat to 425°F (220°C).
-
Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with diced onion and minced garlic until browned. Drain any excess fat.
-
Season & Stir: Add salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir in ketchup, mustard, and chopped pickles until well combined.
-
Layer the Base: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread half of the frozen tater tots in an even layer.
-
Add the Filling: Spoon the beef mixture evenly over the layer of tater tots.
-
Top It Off: Sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the beef. Add the remaining tater tots on top. Finish with crumbled bacon.
-
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes or until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
-
Garnish & Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
-
Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter twist.
-
Add jalapeños or hot sauce for a spicy kick.
-
Leftovers reheat well in the oven or air fryer to keep the tots crispy.
-
Great for meal prep—assemble ahead and bake when ready!
-
For extra cheesiness, mix cheese into the beef layer before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole, tater tot casserole, cheeseburger casserole, ground beef dinner, cheesy tater tot bake, bacon cheeseburger bake, easy casserole recipe, kid-friendly dinner, weeknight casserole, beef and potato bake