Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
This one-pan Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole is loaded with melty cheese, crispy tots, smoky bacon, and all the juicy ground beef flavors of your favorite cheeseburger—perfect for an easy, kid-friendly dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef (93% lean)
- 6 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped Applewood-smoked
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsp ketchup Heinz brand recommended
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese Sargento Extra Sharp recommended
- 1 (32-oz) bag frozen tater tots Ore-Ida or store brand
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and prepare a casserole dish or oven-safe skillet.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove bacon and leave 1 Tbsp of fat in the pan.
- Increase heat to medium-high and brown ground beef, onion, and garlic in the bacon fat. Season with salt and pepper, then drain excess fat.
- Lower heat to medium and stir in ketchup, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook until well coated and slightly thickened.
- Turn off heat and add Greek yogurt/sour cream over the beef, then sprinkle 1½ cups of cheddar. Spread evenly to help tots stick.
- Arrange tater tots in a single layer over the cheese, covering completely. Sprinkle remaining cheddar and bacon pieces on top.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Broil for extra crunch if desired.
- Let it rest, garnish with parsley or green onions, slice, and serve.
Notes
Draining beef well prevents sogginess. Resting helps layers set for clean slices. Crisping bacon first adds depth. Consider adding extra cheese under tots for gooey texture. Fresh chives in the yogurt layer add a touch of green.
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