Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

Everything You Love in One Casserole

Craving the flavor of a bacon cheeseburger, but don’t want to fire up the grill? This Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole takes all your favorite flavors — juicy beef, melty cheese, crispy bacon, and golden tater tots — and bakes them into one cheesy, irresistible dish.

This is the ultimate comfort food mashup. It’s family-friendly, freezer-friendly, and ready to satisfy any cheeseburger lover. Whether it’s game day, a potluck dinner, or a cozy weeknight meal, this casserole is guaranteed to disappear fast.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • All-in-one meal: Meat, potatoes, cheese — done!
  • Kid-approved: It’s like fast food in casserole form
  • Easy to prep ahead: Assemble, chill, and bake when ready
  • Freezer-friendly: Great for batch cooking

Ingredient Breakdown

  • Ground beef (80/20): Full flavor, juicy texture
  • Onion & garlic powder: A simple flavor base
  • Tater tots: Crispy topping that doubles as your starch
  • Shredded cheddar cheese: Melty, gooey goodness
  • Bacon: Adds smoky, savory crunch
  • Fresh parsley (optional): For a pop of color and freshness

How to Make Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

1. Cook the Beef

Brown ground beef in a skillet. Drain excess grease and cook with onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until onions are soft.

2. Assemble the Casserole

Spread beef mixture in a 9×13-inch dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup of cheddar. Top with tater tots in a single layer.

3. Bake It

Bake at 400°F for 30–35 minutes, until tater tots are crispy and golden.

4. Add Final Toppings

Sprinkle with remaining cheese and return to the oven for 5 more minutes. Then top with bacon and parsley.

5. Rest & Serve

Let stand for 5–10 minutes before serving. This helps everything set and makes scooping easier.

Tips & Add-Ons

  • Want a sauce layer? Add a tablespoon of ketchup or burger sauce between beef and cheese.
  • Add pickles: Top with chopped pickles post-bake for that classic cheeseburger zing.
  • Spice it up: Use pepper jack cheese or add diced jalapeños.
  • Make it deluxe: Stir in chopped dill pickles or diced tomatoes with the beef mixture.
Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

Servings

4

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

45

minutes
Calories

550

kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20)

  • 1 small onion, diced

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

  • 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease.
  • Add diced onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
  • Spread the ground beef mixture evenly in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  • Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the ground beef.
  • Arrange the frozen tater tots around the edge of the baking dish, covering the beef mixture.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and heated through.
  • Remove from oven and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the tater tots.
  • Return to the oven for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Top with crumbled bacon and chopped parsley (if using).
  • Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • You can use any type of shredded cheese you prefer.
  • Add other toppings like diced tomatoes, pickles, or sour cream.
  • For a spicier casserole, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ground beef mixture.