This Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole combines all the flavors of everyone's favorite fast-food burger in one hearty casserole. It's a perfect meal for busy families craving comfort food and only takes under an hour in the kitchen and that to me is a winning combo!
What It Tastes Like
Imagine the classic flavors of a Big Mac-savory ground beef, tangy Thousand Island dressing, gooey cheese, and crispy tater tots-all layered together in one irresistible casserole.
Jump to:
- What It Tastes Like
- Why It's a Perfect Meal for Busy Families
- Ingredients You'll Need
- Ingredient Substitutions and Additions
- How To Make Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
- Additional Garnishes
- What to Serve with It
- Recipe Tips for Success
- Storing and Reheating Leftovers
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Slow Cooker Instructions
- More Ground Beef Casseroles
- Recipe
- Comments
Why It's a Perfect Meal for Busy Families
Busy schedules call for meals that are quick, easy, and tasty; enter Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole! With simple ingredients and straightforward prep, it's a lifesaver for hectic weeknights when you need to feed those hungry tummies.
Ingredients You'll Need
You'll likely have some leftover ingredients -- feel free to double the recipe in a 9 x 13" pan! Or make two 8 x 8" pans -- one for now and freeze one for later 🙂
- Ground Beef: Besides providing hearty protein and savory flavor, the ground beef is what a classic hamburger is made with.
- Thousand Island Dressing: The tangy flavor and texture is almost identical to the "special sauce" used on a Big Mac but in a convenient bottle making prep even more easy! It also binds the ingredients together.
- Cheese Slices: Much like the famous burger, we use American cheese slices because of its melty gooey goodness. Double the cheese for an even more cheesy experience!
- Frozen Tater Tots: Tater tots take the place of French fries on the side and gives the dish that casserole vibe. Besides, who doesn't love tater tots?! I use them for my Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole which is spicy, creamy, and crispy thanks to the tots!
- Dill Pickles and Lettuce: For the true flavors of the iconic Big Mac, use dill pickle chips and shredded Iceberg lettuce.
- Sesame seeds: Don't forget to add those iconic sesame seeds as the finishing touch!
Ingredient Substitutions and Additions
Let's face it, sometimes you just need a substitute for a recipe for any number of reasons. Luckily, this recipe is highly customizable. Feel free to customize this recipe to suit your preferences!
| Ingredient | Substitutes |
| Ground beef | ground turkey, ground chicken or shredded chicken |
| American cheese | cheddar cheese, Velveeta cheese, or even pepper jack for an added kick |
| Dill pickle chips | dill pickle relish |
| Tater tots | frozen hash browns, hash brown patties, or French fries |
| Ingredient | Additions |
| Tomato | add some chopped tomatoes as a garnish, for added flavor |
| Bacon | add a layer of cooked bacon strips under the cheese slices for added wow |
How To Make Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
Are you making this recipe? If so, please follow the Recipe Card at the bottom of this post to ensure you get the best results!
Additional Garnishes
Other garnishes could include chopped onions, a dollop of sour cream, or simply some ketchup and mustard on the side.
What to Serve with It
Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole is a complete meal all by itself! But if you want to stretch it out further, you can serve with the following side dishes:
- Simple side salad
- Fruit cups
- Broccoli Bacon Salad
Recipe Tips for Success
- Ensure the ground beef is fully cooked and drained to prevent excess grease in the casserole.
- Don't overcrowd the baking dish with tater tots; arrange them in a single layer for maximum crispiness.
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning to taste and customize the recipe with your favorite burger toppings.
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Place leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave just until warmed through. I like this 18-piece set of glass food storage containers with locking lids from Bayco. Available now on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can assemble the casserole up to a day in advance (except for the garnishes), cover tightly, and refrigerate until ready to bake. Then add the garnishes as directed.
Bake it for about 35 minutes or until the tater tots are crispy golden brown.
Yep, you can freeze the unbaked casserole (without toppings) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
Slow Cooker Instructions
To make this casserole in a slow cooker, layer the ingredients as directed in the slow cooker insert. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the tater tots are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
More Ground Beef Casseroles
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Recipe
Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
Equipment
- Skillet
- 8x8-inch pan
- measuring spoons
- measuring cup
- potato masher optional
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup fresh minced onion Minced is very finely chopped and almost hard to see when mixed in with the other ingredients.
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic The kind that comes in jar.
- 1 cup Thousand Island dressing
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 American cheese slices
- 16 ounces frozen tater tots Buy 32 oz and use about half the bag.
Garnishes
- ¼ cup chopped dill pickles
- shredded iceberg lettuce
- additional Thousand Island dressing, for drizzling
- sesame seeds
- chopped green onions
Instructions
Before You Begin
- It's a good idea to read through the ingredients, directions, and notes at least once before you begin making the recipe for a smoother and more successful baking experience.
How to Make Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onion until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. When the meat is almost done, stir in the minced garlic and then use a potato masher to finely crumble the meat. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the Thousand Island dressing, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper until the mixture is well coated. Taste test the mixture and add additional seasoning if needed.
- Spread the beef mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add cheese slices evenly over the beef mixture.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
- Bake on the center oven rack for 35-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
- Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Sprinkle the chopped dill pickles over the casserole, followed by the shredded lettuce. Drizzle additional Thousand Island dressing over the top. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
Notes
-
- Ensure the ground beef is fully cooked and drained to prevent excess grease in the casserole.
- Don't overcrowd the baking dish with tater tots; arrange them in a single layer for maximum crispiness.
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning to taste and customize the recipe with your favorite burger toppings.
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave just until warmed through.
- See the post for ingredient substitutions and additions.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.
Reese
You’ll love it!!