Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole

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Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole combines seasoned ground beef, pickles, burger sauce, cheddar cheese, and crispy tater tots for an easy family dinner packed with cheeseburger flavor.

Prep Time15

Cook Time30

Total Time45

Course: Casserole, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Author: Jamie Sherman

Equipment

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
1 cup diced onion
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon fine sea salt plus more to taste
¼ cup dill pickle relish
¼ cup mayonnaise
½ cup ketchup
1 cup Thousand Island dressing plus more for serving
½ cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 bag frozen tater tots (32 ounces), as needed
shredded lettuce for serving
sliced dill pickles for serving
additional Thousand Island dressing for serving
sesame seeds for serving

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onion, breaking the beef apart as it cooks, until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is softened. Drain the excess grease.
2 pounds ground beef, 1 cup diced onion
Season the beef mixture with the garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Stir to combine.
1 teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
Transfer the beef mixture to a medium mixing bowl. Add the dill relish, mayonnaise, ketchup, Thousand Island dressing, and half of the cheddar cheese. Stir until well combined.
¼ cup dill pickle relish, ¼ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup ketchup, 1 cup Thousand Island dressing, ½ cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Spread the beef mixture evenly in an 8x8-inch casserole dish.
Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the beef mixture. Arrange enough frozen tater tots to cover the top of the casserole in a single layer. You may not need the entire bag.
½ cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 bag frozen tater tots
Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
Remove the casserole from the oven. Top with shredded lettuce, sliced pickles, an additional drizzle of Thousand Island dressing, and sesame seeds.
shredded lettuce, sliced dill pickles, additional Thousand Island dressing, sesame seeds
Serve immediately.

Notes

🥡 Storage

Store leftover Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
For the best results, store the lettuce and other fresh toppings separately.

♨️ Reheating

Reheat refrigerated leftovers in a 350°F oven until the center reaches 165°F.
Individual portions can also be reheated in the microwave until heated through to 165°F.
Add fresh lettuce, pickles, Thousand Island dressing, and sesame seeds after reheating.

❄️ Freezing

Allow the casserole to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze without the fresh toppings for up to 2-3 months.
For the best results, thaw frozen leftovers overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat in a 350°F oven, covered loosely with foil, until the center reaches 165°F. Remove the foil during the last few minutes of reheating to help the tater tots crisp up again.
To reheat directly from frozen, place the casserole in an oven-safe dish, cover loosely with foil, and bake at 350°F until the center reaches 165°F. Remove the foil toward the end of the reheating time so the tater tots can crisp.
Add fresh lettuce, pickles, Thousand Island dressing, and sesame seeds after reheating.

💡 Tips

Drain the ground beef well after cooking to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
Keep the tater tots frozen until you're ready to assemble the casserole.
Arrange the tater tots in a single layer so they get golden and crispy.
You may not need the entire 32-ounce bag of tater tots. Use enough to evenly cover the top of the casserole.
Add the lettuce and other fresh toppings just before serving.

🍳 Alternate Methods

Air Fryer: For a smaller batch, assemble the casserole in an air fryer-safe baking dish that fits comfortably inside your air fryer basket. Air fry at 350°F until the filling is hot and the tater tots are golden and crispy, checking early since air fryer models vary. The center of the casserole should reach 165°F before serving. Add the lettuce, pickles, Thousand Island dressing, and sesame seeds after cooking.

♻️ Leftovers

Turn leftovers into an easy cheeseburger bowl. Reheat a portion of the casserole and serve it over shredded lettuce with extra pickles and a drizzle of Thousand Island dressing.

📝 Notes

If you expect to have leftovers, add the lettuce, pickles, Thousand Island dressing, and sesame seeds to individual servings instead of garnishing the entire casserole. This keeps the fresh toppings crisp and makes the casserole easier to store and reheat.

Nutrition