Why You’ll Love This Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food that combines everything you love about burgers and tater tots, this Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole is about to become your new go-to dinner.
I can’t get enough of how it brings together savory ground beef, crispy turkey bacon, and those golden tater tots in one magnificent dish.
The creamy cheese sauce ties everything together, while the mustard and Worcestershire add that classic burger flavor.
It’s ridiculously simple to prepare, feeds a crowd, and honestly tastes even better the next day.
Who doesn’t love leftovers that improve overnight?
What Ingredients are in Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole?
This casserole combines all the flavors you love in a bacon cheeseburger but transforms them into a hearty, comforting dish that’s perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
The ingredient list might look long at first glance, but most items are probably already hanging out in your kitchen.
And trust me, the combination of savory meat, creamy cheese, and crispy tater tots creates something truly magical when they all meld together in the oven.
- 1 pound ground beef
- 6 slices turkey bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (ensure halal)
- 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
- 2 green onions, sliced (optional, for garnish)
While the recipe is pretty straightforward, there are a few ingredient notes worth mentioning.
For those with dietary considerations, using turkey bacon keeps this a bit lighter than traditional pork bacon.
The Worcestershire sauce adds that umami flavor that makes burgers so craveable—just double-check the label if you need a halal version.
And when it comes to the cheese, don’t skimp on quality! Pre-shredded works fine, but freshly grated cheddar melts more smoothly.
As for the tater tots, any brand will work, but the extra-crispy varieties hold up particularly well in this casserole.
How to Make This Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
Start by preheating your oven and grabbing a large skillet. First, you’ll want to cook 6 slices of chopped turkey bacon until they’re nice and crisp over medium heat.
Once done, set those bacon pieces aside on a paper towel and drain most of the grease from the pan, leaving about a tablespoon behind. This bacon fat is liquid gold for flavoring the next step.
In that same skillet, add 1 pound of ground beef and 1 small diced onion. Let them cook together until the beef is fully browned and the onion has softened, which usually takes about 6-8 minutes.
Then add 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Now for the burger-inspired flavors—stir in 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard, and 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce.
Remember to fold those crispy bacon pieces back into the mixture. Can you smell the burger vibes yet?
To create that creamy, cheesy base that holds everything together, reduce the heat to low and stir in a 10.5 oz can of condensed cheddar cheese soup and 1 cup of sour cream until everything is well combined.
Transfer this mixture to a casserole dish and top with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Arrange the frozen tater tots (from a 32 oz bag) in a single layer on top, then sprinkle with the remaining cup of cheese.
Bake until the tots are golden and crispy and the cheese is bubbling around the edges. A sprinkle of sliced green onions just before serving adds a fresh pop of color and flavor to this comforting masterpiece.
Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole Substitutions and Variations
While the original recipe creates a perfect comfort food masterpiece, you’ve got plenty of room to customize this Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole to suit your taste preferences or pantry limitations.
Don’t have turkey bacon? Regular bacon works beautifully, or skip it entirely for a lighter option.
Vegetarians might swap in plant-based ground meat and omit the bacon. Looking for extra veggies? Fold in diced bell peppers, corn, or mushrooms with the onions.
I sometimes use pepper jack instead of cheddar when I’m craving heat.
And those tater tots? Sweet potato tots or hash browns make delicious alternatives. The condensed soup can be swapped for a homemade cheese sauce if you’re feeling ambitious.
What to Serve with Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
Looking for the perfect sides to round out your Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole? This hearty dish practically screams for something fresh and crisp to balance all that delicious richness.
I love serving mine with a simple side salad tossed in vinaigrette or some tangy coleslaw.
Steamed green beans or roasted broccoli also provide that veggie contrast we all need, but secretly avoid sometimes (just me?).
For a true diner experience, pickle spears and sliced tomatoes work beautifully.
And if you’re really embracing comfort food night, corn on the cob slathered with butter is never wrong.
Final Thoughts
This Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole has become my go-to dish for those nights when everyone needs something comforting and filling.
There’s something magical about how the crispy tater tots, savory beef, and melty cheese come together in one pan.
I’ve made this countless times, tweaking little things here and there, and honestly, it never disappoints. My family practically cheers when they smell it baking.
Can you blame them?
Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook chopped turkey bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels and drain most of the grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
- Add ground beef and diced onion to the same skillet. Cook until beef is browned and onion is softened, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add minced garlic, salt, black pepper, ketchup, yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine.
- Fold the cooked bacon pieces back into the mixture.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in condensed cheddar cheese soup and sour cream until well combined.
- Transfer mixture to a casserole dish and top with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer on top, then sprinkle with remaining cup of cheese.
- Bake until tater tots are golden and crispy and cheese is bubbling around the edges.
- Garnish with sliced green onions before serving if desired.
