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Cheesy Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
When it comes to comfort food, few dishes hit the mark quite like a cheesy casserole. The combination of crispy tater tots, savory ground beef, melty cheese, and the smoky goodness of bacon is a winning formula that promises to satisfy everyone at the dinner table. Introducing the Cheesy Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole—a dish that takes all the best elements of a cheeseburger and transforms them into a hearty, baked casserole that’s perfect for family dinners, parties, or a cozy weeknight meal.
This casserole combines the flavors of a classic cheeseburger with the crispy texture of tater tots, and it’s topped off with crispy bacon for an added layer of indulgence. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your recipe rotation.
Ingredients
To make this Cheesy Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef (you can use lean or regular, depending on your preference)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or your preferred cheese, like mozzarella or a mix)
- 1 bag frozen tater tots (about 32 oz)
- 6 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or substitute with cream of chicken soup)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional garnishes: Pickles, lettuce, or tomatoes (for that extra “burger” touch)
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or casserole dish with cooking spray to ensure the casserole doesn’t stick as it bakes.
2. Brown the Ground Beef In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until it’s fully browned. As it cooks, break it up into small crumbles with a spoon or spatula. Add the chopped onion and continue cooking until the onions become soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Add the Cream of Mushroom Soup Once the beef and onions are cooked, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, milk, ketchup, and mustard. Mix everything together until well combined. This will create a creamy, flavorful sauce for the casserole. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes to combine the flavors.
4. Layer the Casserole Spoon the beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out in an even layer. Sprinkle crumbled bacon over the top of the beef mixture, then top with the shredded cheddar cheese.
5. Add the Tater Tots Carefully arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top of the cheese. The tater tots will bake up golden and crispy, providing a wonderful contrast to the creamy beef mixture underneath.
6. Bake the Casserole Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 30-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are crispy and golden brown. The cheese should be melted, and the casserole should be bubbly around the edges.
7. Add Optional Garnishes Once the casserole is out of the oven, you can add some optional garnishes to bring a little extra “cheeseburger” vibe to your dish. Consider adding a few slices of pickles, a drizzle of ketchup or mustard, or even a sprinkle of shredded lettuce or diced tomatoes.
8. Serve and Enjoy! Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Dish out generous portions of this cheesy, bacon-filled casserole, and watch it disappear quickly!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The Cheesy Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole has everything you could want in a comforting, satisfying meal:
- Flavor-packed: With the combination of ground beef, bacon, cheese, and the familiar cheeseburger condiments like ketchup and mustard, this casserole brings the best flavors of a classic burger right to your plate.
- Easy to make: This casserole requires minimal prep time and ingredients. Most of the components are pre-made, like the frozen tater tots and cream of mushroom soup, making it quick and simple to put together.
- Crowd-pleaser: Whether you’re serving it for dinner, bringing it to a potluck, or serving it at a party, this casserole is sure to impress. The crispy tater tots and cheesy beef mixture are a hit with kids and adults alike.
