Introduction:
If you could combine the best parts of a cheeseburger and a tray of crispy tater tots into one cozy dinner,
you’d get this Cheesy Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole. It’s rich, hearty, and unbelievably satisfying:
seasoned ground beef, a creamy cheesy sauce, and a golden layer of crunchy tots baked on top until everything bubbles
together into the kind of comfort food that makes people go back for seconds.
This casserole is a weeknight hero. It’s simple to assemble, easy to customize, and it feeds a crowd without stress.
You can keep it classic like a cheeseburger, or lean into fun “burger” toppings like pickles, bacon, or a drizzle of
burger sauce. It’s also great for potlucks and game days because it stays warm and tastes just as good reheated.
The key is building flavor in layers: brown the beef with onion and seasoning, stir in a creamy base, add plenty of cheese,
then bake the tots until crisp. You get creamy underneath and crunchy on top—exactly the contrast that makes this dish so
addictive.
Ingredients:
For the cheeseburger base:
- 2 lb (900g) ground beef (80/20 for best flavor, or lean if preferred)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 tsp mustard powder (or 1 tbsp Dijon mustard)
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
For the creamy cheesy sauce:
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (plus more for topping)
- Optional: 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella for extra melt
For the topping:
- 1 bag (28–32 oz) frozen tater tots
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for the final layer)
- Optional: cooked crumbled bacon
Optional “burger-style” toppings (add after baking):
- Chopped dill pickles
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded lettuce
- Thinly sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds (for fun “burger bun” vibes)
Quick burger sauce (optional):
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1 tbsp pickle relish
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
Instructions:
- Preheat and prep.
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. - Brown the beef.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef with onion until browned.
Drain excess grease if needed. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.ADVERTISEMENT
