Description
Comforting Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole! Ground beef, bacon, and cheese layered with tater tots for a fun, delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (30 ounce) package frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Salt to taste
- Oil for cooking
- Optional toppings: chopped green onions, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, burger sauce
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add a tablespoon of oil. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef. Break it up with a spoon and cook until it’s browned all over. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté the Onion and Garlic: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned ground beef. Cook until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Combine the Soup Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Mix Everything Together: Pour the soup mixture into the skillet with the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Stir well to combine. Add the cooked and crumbled bacon to the mixture. Reserve a little bacon for topping if you like! Season with salt to taste. Remember, bacon is already salty, so go easy on the salt.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease the Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Layer the Tater Tots: Arrange half of the frozen tater tots in a single layer on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. You can overlap them slightly if needed.
- Spread the Meat Mixture: Pour the ground beef mixture evenly over the layer of tater tots.
- Add the Cheese: Sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese and half of the Monterey Jack cheese over the meat mixture.
- Add the Remaining Tater Tots: Arrange the remaining tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese. Again, you can overlap them slightly.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese over the tater tots.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Check for Doneness: To make sure the casserole is heated through, insert a knife into the center. It should come out hot.
- Optional Broiling: For an extra golden brown and crispy top, you can broil the casserole for the last 1-2 minutes. Watch it closely to prevent burning!
- Rest: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Serve: Cut the casserole into squares and serve hot.
- Optional Toppings: Top with chopped green onions, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, burger sauce, sour cream, guacamole, pickled jalapeños, or more crumbled bacon.
Notes
- Experiment with different types of cheese, such as pepper jack, Colby jack, or even a smoked gouda.
- Sneak in some extra veggies by adding diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to the meat mixture.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the meat mixture for a little kick.
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Use a plant-based ground beef substitute and vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- Stir in a can of drained and rinsed black beans or kidney beans to the meat mixture for added protein and fiber.
- Assemble the casserole ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to bake. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- You can also freeze the casserole for later. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes