Description
Hearty cheeseburger casserole brings classic diner comfort straight to dinner tables with minimal effort. Layers of ground beef, melted cheese, and crispy tater tots promise a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup chopped bacon
- 2 large eggs
Dairy:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Pantry & Seasonings:
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp mustard
- 2 tbsp ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles and cooking until no pink remains, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Simultaneously, crisp the chopped bacon in a separate pan until golden and slightly crunchy, then drain excess grease on paper towels.
- Transfer the cooked ground beef to a large mixing bowl, and add the crispy bacon pieces, creating a hearty meat base.
- Whisk the eggs in a separate bowl, then blend in the cream cheese, heavy cream, and sour cream until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Fold the shredded cheddar cheese into the cream mixture, ensuring even distribution of dairy components.
- Stir in mustard, ketchup, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to infuse the mixture with robust burger-inspired flavors.
- Pour the meat mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Gently pour the creamy cheese mixture over the meat, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly across the top, creating a golden, crispy topping.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling and the breadcrumb topping turns a rich, golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the casserole to set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of this indulgent dish.
- Drain the ground beef thoroughly after cooking to prevent a watery casserole texture and ensure maximum flavor concentration.
- Swap regular bacon for turkey bacon to make the recipe lighter and more diet-friendly without sacrificing that smoky, crispy element.
- Consider using gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds as a low-carb alternative topping that adds crunch and keeps the dish keto-compatible.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 676
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1120 mg
- Fat: 52 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 159 mg