Our Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole is creamy, crunchy, and packed with familiar flavors. You’ll want to make it all season long!
A Combination for the Ages
This recipe is the marriage of two very nostalgic meals: the cheeseburger and the tater tot casserole. I don’t know about you, but for us, both of these dishes produce fond childhood memories.
In fact, we love both so much that there's WHOLE CATEGORIES full of recipes for each, so no matter if you are on the hunt for some hamburger recipes, or casing the place for our ground beef casserole recipes, we've got you covered.
Cheeseburgers remind me of family cookouts and summer nights, while tater tot casseroles hearken back to holiday gatherings and cold winters. Despite how vastly different they are, these simple meals are a match made in heaven.
Psst… We love putting different twists on the classic cheeseburger, so check out our Cheeseburger Soup and Double Bacon Cheeseburger when you’re in the mood for some cheesy, meaty goodness.
Why We Love Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
- It’s comforting. This is the kind of recipe you pull out when you need some comfort food. This casserole is hearty, filling, and is sure to be a favorite with the kiddos.
- You can make it ahead of time. You can prepare this casserole in advance and store it in the freezer until you’re ready to bake it. It’s the perfect meal to have on hand for a last-minute dinner!
- It uses really simple ingredients. There’s nothing fancy going on here. We used simple, easy to find ingredients to achieve a whole lot of flavor.
Key Ingredients for Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
- Ground beef - Once again, the star of the show. You’ll need 1.5 pounds of ground beef for this recipe. If you have any ground beef leftover, you can use it up in one of these Leftover Ground Beef Recipes.
- Cheeseburger fixings - You’ll need onion, relish, ketchup, mustard, and cheese. We like to top our casserole with lettuce and tomato, but you can leave those out if you’d like.
- Tater tots - “C’mon, give me some of your tots!” Not just a favorite of nostalgic movie misfit Napoleon Dynamite; these crispy spud nuggets give this casserole a potato punch that pays tribute to the classic pairing of burgers and french fries.
How to Make Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add the ground beef and onion to a large skillet over medium heat. Break the beef into chunks. Cook undisturbed until the beef is browned on the bottom, then stir and continue to cook until beef is browned and onions are softened. Once browned, sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, remove from heat, and drain the fat.
- Pour the cooked meat and onions into the prepared casserole dish. Add the cheese soup, pickle relish, ketchup, mustard, and 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Stir until well mixed.
- Top with rows of tater tots. Sprinkle remaining salt on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes or until the tots are golden brown. Remove and top with the remaining cheese, then bake for 5 minutes more to melt. Serve immediately.
Storage and Make Ahead Tips
To store:
- Move leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To make ahead of time:
- Do all of the steps up until the final bake, then wrap in plastic wrap and store in the freezer.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
- You may need up to an additional 15 minutes of baking time.
FAQs
How Do I Reheat Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole?
We recommend using a toaster oven, air fryer, or conventional oven to reheat leftovers. Even though the microwave is faster, it’ll make the tots lose their crunch.
Can You Make Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole Ahead of Time?
You sure can! Check out our tips above for making this in advance.
What to Serve with Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
You’ve got your main dish covered, but what on earth do you serve with a Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole? Don’t worry, we have some ideas.
Since most casseroles already have a combo of meat, potatoes, and veggies, you don't need much, but our Easy Caesar Salad makes a nice crisp starter, and these 30 minute Easy Drop Biscuits are perfect for sopping up some of the saucy leftovers on your plate.
If you're looking for more veggie variations, try this Easy Carrot Saute with Honey and Thyme, or our simple Air Fryer Asparagus.
Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- ½ cup onion (diced)
- ¾ teaspoon salt (divided)
- 1 can cheddar cheese soup
- 3 Tablespoons pickle relish
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- About 5 tater tots
- Lettuce and tomato to top (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add the ground beef and onion to a large skillet over medium heat. Break the beef into chunks. Cook undisturbed until the beef is browned on the bottom, then stir and continue to cook until beef is browned and onions are softened. Once browned, sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, remove from heat, and drain the fat.
- Pour the cooked meat and onions into the prepared casserole dish. Add the cheese soup, pickle relish, ketchup, mustard, and 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Stir until well mixed.
- Top with rows of tater tots. Sprinkle remaining salt on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes or until the tots are golden brown. Remove and top with the remaining cheese, then bake for 5 minutes more to melt. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Move leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Do all of the steps up until the final bake, then wrap in plastic wrap and store in the freezer.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
- You may need to add an additional 15 minutes of baking time.
Equipment
Nutrition
More Tater Tot Recipes
We’ve got a tater tot recipe for every occasion. Start your day with this Cheesy Sausage, Spinach, and Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole. And next time you need a dish to take to a party or potluck, you can make this Taco Tater Tot Casserole or the classic Green Bean Tater Tot Casserole.
Craving More Casserole Recipes
We have so many different types of casserole recipes. There’s something for everyone!
For a pleasing Pasta Casserole, check out our Cheesy Company Casserole or this Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Casserole.
If spuds are more your speed, Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole or Hamburger Potato Casserole should hit the spot.
And if you're inspired by Mexican flavors, give our Walking Taco Casserole or this hearty Mexican Cornbread Casserole a try!
