Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Introduction

Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish that combines all the best flavors of a classic cheeseburger with crispy tater tots. It’s an easy, family-friendly meal perfect for a cozy dinner any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt to taste
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 30 ounces frozen tater tots
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1/4 cup chopped dill pickles
• 1/4 cup chopped white onion
• 4 hamburger buns, toasted (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess grease and cook for about 8-10 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet. Cook until softened, approximately 5-7 minutes.
3. Step 3: Stir in undrained diced tomatoes, tomato soup, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Simmer the mixture for 15 minutes, seasoning with salt to taste.
4. Step 4: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
5. Step 5: Spread half of the tater tots evenly in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
6. Step 6: Pour the meat sauce over the layer of tater tots.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the meat sauce.
8. Step 8: Top with the remaining tater tots and then sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.
9. Step 9: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.
10. Step 10: While the casserole bakes, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard in a small bowl to make a simple burger sauce.
11. Step 11: Finely chop dill pickles and white onion, then stir them into the sauce or serve on the side as a topping.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the meat mixture before simmering.
• Swap the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses for pepper jack or mozzarella for a different twist.
• If you prefer less spice, omit the cayenne pepper.
• Serve with toasted hamburger buns for a fun deconstructed cheeseburger experience.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover the casserole with foil and warm it in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. Microwaving works, but baking will keep the tater tots crispy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole a few hours in advance and refrigerate it until ready to bake. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

While canned diced tomatoes provide a consistent texture and flavor, you can substitute fresh diced tomatoes. Use about 2 cups of fresh tomatoes and add a bit of extra tomato soup or broth to maintain the sauciness.

Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 79 reviews

• Author: Ben
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish combining savory ground beef cooked with tomatoes and spices, layered with crispy tater tots and melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Topped with a tangy homemade burger sauce, this casserole brings the classic cheeseburger flavors in a warm, cheesy baked meal perfect for family dinners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Sauce

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt to taste

Cheese and Tater Tots

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 30 ounces frozen tater tots

Burger Sauce and Garnish

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1/4 cup chopped dill pickles
• 1/4 cup chopped white onion
• 4 hamburger buns, toasted (optional)

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Instructions

1. Brown the Meat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef by breaking it up with a spoon until fully cooked, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess grease to keep the dish from being too oily.
2. Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.
3. Simmer Sauce: Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes, condensed tomato soup, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Lower heat and let the sauce simmer for 15 minutes, seasoning with salt to taste, allowing the flavors to meld.
4. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
5. Layer Tater Tots: Spread half of the frozen tater tots evenly in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish to create the base layer.
6. Add Meat Sauce: Pour the meat sauce evenly over the tater tot layer, ensuring it covers the tots well.
7. Add Cheese: Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the meat sauce layer for a cheesy middle.
8. Top with Remaining Tots and Cheese: Arrange the remaining tater tots evenly over the cheese, then sprinkle the remaining cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses on top to ensure a golden cheesy crust.
9. Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove and let rest for 10 minutes before serving to set.
10. Prepare Burger Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, and yellow mustard to make a flavorful burger sauce for serving.
11. Garnish: Finely chop dill pickles and white onion to sprinkle over the casserole or serve alongside for extra texture and tang.

Notes

• Optional: Toast hamburger buns to serve on the side, completing the cheeseburger experience.
• If you prefer a milder dish, omit the cayenne pepper.
• Letting the casserole rest after baking helps it set and enhances flavors.
• Feel free to substitute cheeses based on preference; mozzarella or Colby-Jack also work well.
• For a lower-fat version, use lean ground beef and reduced-fat cheeses.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cheeseburger casserole, tater tot casserole, comfort food, ground beef casserole, baked casserole, cheesy tater tots, family dinner