Sometimes dinner calls for kale, brown rice, and chicken or tofu. Sometimes it calls for lentils and broccoli. And sometimes it calls for a cheeseburger bacon tater tot casserole. For those nights when the family needs a meal that’s equal parts comfort food as it is hearty and tasty, this recipe for a bacon cheeseburger tater tot casserole is ready to satisfy.
Easy to prep and impossible not to enjoy, a bacon cheeseburger tater tot bake is the perfect dish on those evenings when you just don’t want any discord in the house. With the announcement of this meal, the kids will be happy to finish their homework and chores and there will be no negotiation over whose job it is to set the table.
Ingredients for Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bake
- Ground beef: The recipe calls for two pounds of ground beef, 12 servings, so of course it’s OK to halve everything for a more family-sized meal.
- Onion: Use either a yellow or white onion, chopped and divided.
- Tomato sauce: A standard 15 ounce can of tomato sauce will serve just fine.
- Ground mustard: That mustard taste you love from a classic cheeseburger is delivered thanks to ground mustard.
- Worcestershire sauce: As usual, don’t bother trying to pronounce this sauce, just make sure you use it.
- Velveeta: You can by all means use a substitute for the Velveeta cheese if you wish.
- Cheddar cheese: Don’t sub out the shredded cheddar, though! It’s classic taste is a must.
- Bacon strips: The bacon should be pre-cooked and crumbled — don’t cook it to crispy, though, or it will end up too dried out and hard.
- Tater tots: Be generous with the tater tots, using at least a 32 ounce package for the full 12-serving recipe.
- Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes work best here, but of course other tomatoes are fine if need be, just discard the interior portion of regular tomatoes if you’re using them. Otherwise, the dish will have too much liquid.
- Sliced dill pickles: Pickles pack in flavor, so don’t go overboard with them.
Directions
Step 1: Cook the mixture
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat cook the beef and one cup of the chopped onion, crumbling the meat evenly. Cook it until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is tender, which will take six to eight minutes. Drain excess fluid, then stir in the tomato sauce, Velveeta, mustard powder and Worcestershire sauce and cook. Stir until the cheese is melted, which will take another four to six minutes.
Step 2: Bake
Transfer the meat, onion, and cheese to a greased 13×9-inch (or 3-1/2 quart) baking dish. Sprinkle over the cheddar cheese and bacon, then top the dish with the tater tots. Bake the dish, uncovered, for 35 to 40 minutes or until it’s bubbly. Remove it from the oven, top the cheeseburger bacon tater tot casserole with tomatoes, pickles and the remaining onion. Serve it up.
Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bake Variations
- Mix up the toppings: One of the best things about a cheeseburger is the customization options. You can leave out the pickles, add red onion as the topper, sprinkle on sesame seeds, add fresh sprouts and toss over chopped lettuce. There’s hardly any limit here.
- Swap out the Velveeta: If you don’t have Velveeta cheese or simply prefer less processed foods, you can use equal parts cream cheese and cheddar cheese or Monterrey Jack cheese in its place. Just shred a block of fresh cheese, if possible, as it will melt more evenly than pre-shredded cheese.
- Use ground turkey: For a slightly lower fat take on this recipe that will still taste great, try using ground turkey meat in place of ground beef. You can also choose from an 80/20 or 90/10 ground beef blend.
How to Store Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bake
This cheeseburger tater tot casserole will keep well in the fridge for two to three days. It’s best reheated in an oven set to 350º for 15 to 20 minutes. Cover it with foil when reheating to keep the top layer from scorching.
Can you freeze the cheeseburger tater tot bake?
Yes, this dish can be frozen, but ideally before the baking. If you are confident you’ll have leftovers, set a portion aside right before the baking step. Let it cool to room temperature and cover it in airtight wrap followed by aluminum foil. You can freeze it for up to four months, then cook it from frozen. Place the frozen portion in an oven-safe dish and turn the heat up to 400º. Let it thaw. Then bake it for about 40 minutes, checking the dish after 30 minutes.
Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bake Tips
What should I serve with this cheeseburger casserole?
As this is a hearty and rather heavy dish, we recommend balancing it with a fresh salad or cooked green vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or kale. You can also serve it on buns for a spin on Sloppy Joe. Just scoop this cheeseburger tot casserole onto hamburger buns and it makes the ultimate comfort food, especially when you add ketchup, mustard, and mayo. Just be ready with extra napkins. And maybe some wet wipes, too.
Can I cut back on the bacon?
Yes! In fact, many people use half the bacon called for in the recipe and still love it. That will reduce the grease and also cut down on the sodium content.
