Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

Satisfy your burger cravings with the quick and easy Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole. This family favorite brilliantly fuses savory ground beef, golden tater tots, and cheesy goodness with a hint of burger sauce and pickles. Plus, it doubles as a fantastic freezer meal for those busier nights when craving classic burger flavors.

Burger lovers rejoice. It’s time to satisfy those cheeseburger cravings without all the fuss. This cheeseburger tater tot casserole is the perfect comfort food meal for any night of the week. Packed with all the flavors of a delicious cheeseburger, this hearty casserole hits all the marks. Combining creamy velvetta cheese, perfectly cooked ground beef, and your favorite condiments, this is a dish the whole family will love. 

The best part? This Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole is incredibly easy to make. It is the perfect meal for busy weeknights. This comfort food casserole uses only a few simple ingredients and is ready in no time. No more wondering what’s for dinner when you have this delicious casserole in mind. It is also perfect for potlucks and family gatherings and an ideal addition to your meal prep menu. 

Why You’ll Love Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

• Easy to Make: The recipe is relatively simple and quick to prepare, with minimal prep time. This makes it an excellent choice for busy weeknight dinners or when you want a satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.
• Great for Gatherings: This tasty casserole is perfect for potlucks, parties, and gatherings. The fact that it is hearty and comforting makes it an excellent choice for feeding a group of people. No matter how big or small. 
• Delicious Comfort Food: This is it if you are looking for the ultimate comfort food. The combination of creamy cheese sauce, savory ground beef, and crispy tater tots make this simple dish something the entire family will love on a cold day. 
• Customizable: You can easily customize this casserole to your liking. Add extra toppings like bacon, jalapeños, or different types of cheese to make it your own. No matter what you choose, this casserole is an excellent addition to your meal plan. 
• Meal Prep: This delicious casserole can easily be made ahead of time and popped in the fridge or freezer to be enjoyed later. This is a fantastic choice if you are looking to prepare a few meals ahead of time. 

Ingredients 

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Lean ground beef
• Sweet onion 
• Salt
• Pepper
• Worcestershire sauce
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Sweet pickle relish 
• Velveeta 
• Milk 
• Frozen Tater Tots
• Cheddar cheese
• Dill pickles

How to Make Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole 

• Step One: Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Step Two: Add the ground beef, onion, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce to a large skillet. Cook over medium heat until the beef is cooked and the onions are softened. Drain the grease if needed.

• Step Three: Stir in ketchup, mustard, and relish.
• Step Four: Spread the meat mixture in a greased 9×13-inch pan.

• Step Five: Add Velveeta to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 30-second increments for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir in 2 tbsp milk.
• Step Six: Pour the Velveeta mixture on top of the meat mixture.
• Step Seven: Top with a layer of frozen Tater Tots.

• Step Eight: Bake for 40 minutes.
• Step Nine: Top with shredded cheese. Bake for another 5 minutes.
• Step Ten: Top with dill pickles and serve hot.

Equipment Needed

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• 9×13 inch casserole dish
• Mixing bowl 
• Skillet

What to Serve with Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

There are several fantastic things that you can serve with this easy recipe. Choose your favorite side dish to compliment this comforting casserole.

• BLT Salad
• Bean Salad 
• Broccoli Salad
• Garlic Bread
• Greek Pasta Salad

Variations and Substitutions 

• Meat Options: Instead of lean ground beef, you can use ground turkey or ground chicken to create this casserole. They are leaner, healthier options to ground beef and don’t change the flavor much. 
• Tater Tot Varieties: You can experiment with different types of Tater Tots, such as sweet potato Tater Tots or seasoned Tater Tots. No matter what kind of Tater Tots you choose, they will create a delicious and crunchy topping for your cheeseburger casserole. 
• Spice it Up: You can spice up this delicious casserole if you like spice. Add some heat by incorporating diced jalapeños, chili flakes, or hot sauce into the meat mixture for a spicy twist. 
• Extra Toppings: Customize your casserole with additional toppings such as crispy bacon bits, diced tomatoes, or sliced green onions for added flavor and freshness. Adding additional toppings to your casserole can add flavor variety to the dish. 4
• Pickle Variations: Experiment with different types of pickles, like bread and butter pickles, spicy pickles, or even pickle chips, to add to the top of your casserole after cooking. Using your favorite pickles will bring the casserole up a notch. 
• Crispy Onions: Top the casserole with crispy fried onions for a delightful crunch and a savory flavor boost. It will be reminiscent of eating a delicious cheeseburger with a side of onion rings.
• Diced Tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes can provide a juicy and slightly tangy element to the casserole. This will help balance the richness of the other ingredients. Be sure to drain any excess liquid before adding them to your casserole.

Storage Instructions

Leftovers of cheeseburger tater tot casserole? While unlikely because it is so delicious, if you have leftovers, they can be stored in the fridge. Let the casserole cool to room temperature. Then, cover it with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. It can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days. 

Can I Freeze?

 Yes, you can freeze leftovers of this casserole or even the entire casserole for future enjoyment. 

To freeze leftovers, allow them to come to room temperature and transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container. Place them in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

If you want to freeze the casserole for a future meal, that is also an option. To do this, prepare the casserole, but do not bake it. You can use an aluminum pan rather than a baking dish. Then, wrap the casserole tightly with plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil. It can be kept in the freezer for three months. When ready to bake it, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight and bake according to the instructions. 

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Layering: Properly layering the ingredients is key to even cooking and great flavor. Start with the meat mixture, the cheese sauce, and Tater Tots for the best results.
• Monitor Cooking Time: Keep a close eye on the casserole while baking. Overcooking can result in overly crispy Tater Tots or burnt cheese. Follow the recommended cooking times, but be prepared to adjust them based on your oven. Remember, every oven is different.
• Foil Cover: If you notice the Tater Tots becoming too brown or crispy during baking, cover the casserole with aluminum foil for the remaining time. This will prevent over-browning and ensure the casserole is cooked evenly. 
• Even Tater Tot Placement: When adding the Tater Tots, try to distribute them in an even layer over the casserole. This will make sure that the layer of tater tots browns and crisps evenly. You want to ensure this casserole is topped with crunchy tater tots, not soggy ones. 
• Rest Before Serving: After taking the casserole out of the oven, rest for a few minutes before serving. This gives the dish time to set and makes it easier to serve in neat portions.

What is Tater Tot Casserole?

If you hail from the Midwest, you’ve likely encountered tater tot casserole during your upbringing.

The traditional tater tot casserole is a medley of ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, cheese, and tater tots. Now and then, you’ll stumble upon versions incorporating canned green beans and corn, elevating the dish with a touch of extra flavor.

Other Names for Tater Tot Casserole

Depending on where you live, there are several names for tater tot casserole. 

• Tater Tot Hot Dish
• Minnesota Hotdish
• Cowboy Casserole
• Hamburger Hotdish
• Cheeseburger Casserole
• Tater Tot Bake
• Tater Tot Pie

Garnish Ideas

• Fresh Chopped Parsley
• Sliced Green Onions
• Diced Tomatoes
• Pickle Slices
• Bacon Crumbles
• Shredded Lettuce
• Sliced Jalapeños
• Ketchup and Mustard Drizzle
• Cheddar Cheese Shreds

Can I Make Ahead?

Yes, you can make this cheeseburger tater tot casserole recipe in advance. There are two ways to make it ahead and save it for later. 

• Prepare and Refrigerate: You can assemble the casserole up to a day in advance, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and refrigerate it. When ready to bake, place it in the preheated oven according to the original recipe instructions. Keep in mind that you may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if the casserole is cold from the refrigerator.
• Freeze for Later: You can also freeze the casserole for longer-term storage. Assemble it, but don’t bake it. Use a freezer-safe container or dish, wrap it well with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and label it with the date. It can be frozen for up to three months. When you want to enjoy it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then bake it as directed in the recipe.

Can I Make in a Crockpot?

You absolutely can if you prefer to prepare this cheeseburger casserole using a slow cooker!

Follow the initial meat preparation steps, then transfer everything to your slow cooker. Layer it with the onions, cheese, and tater tots, cover it, and slow cook on the low setting for approximately 6 hours or until heated. Remember that using the crockpot won’t produce as crispy Tater Tots, but it offers a simple approach to crafting a tasty Tater Tot casserole.

Tater Tot Casserole Recipes

• Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
• Pizza Tater Tot Casserole
• Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
• Lasagna Tater Tot Casserole
• Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

FAQ

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