Description
Quick comfort meets pure indulgence with this cheeseburger tater tot casserole, blending classic burger flavors into a hearty one-pan meal. Crispy potato tots crown layers of seasoned ground beef and melted cheese, promising a crowd-pleasing dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces (8 oz) sour cream
- 10.5 ounces (10.5 oz) cheddar cheese condensed soup
- 1/2 cup milk
Toppings and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 cup bacon, cooked and chopped
- 32 ounces (32 oz) frozen tater tots, kept frozen
Instructions
- Prepare a well-greased 9×13 baking dish and preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat, continuously breaking and stirring until completely browned.
- Carefully drain excess grease from the cooked beef to ensure a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile.
- Enhance the beef with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Incorporate condensed cheddar cheese soup, sour cream, crumbled bacon, and milk into the seasoned beef, creating a rich and creamy mixture.
- Transfer the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
- Gently fold frozen tater tots and shredded cheddar cheese into the beef mixture, ensuring complete coverage and distribution.
- Smooth the top of the casserole with a spatula to create an uniform surface for consistent baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, watching for bubbling edges and golden-brown tater tots as indicators of complete cooking.
- Remove from oven and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving to help the casserole set and enhance flavor melding.
Notes
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content and create a healthier version of this comfort dish.
- Swap regular tater tots with cauliflower tots for a lower-carb alternative that still delivers incredible crunch and satisfaction.
- Consider using turkey bacon or plant-based bacon bits to make the recipe more diet-friendly and accommodate different nutritional needs.
- Sprinkle fresh chopped chives or green onions on top after baking to add a bright, fresh element that cuts through the richness of the casserole.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg