Description
Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole is an easy dinner that turns everyone’s favorite fast-food burger into a cheesy, family-style bake. Juicy seasoned ground beef, tangy pickles, melty cheese, and crispy tater tots all come together in one pan for the ultimate comfort food. This quick dinner is perfect when you need new dinner ideas or fun food ideas for busy weeknights and game days, and it also makes great leftovers for a hearty lunch or next-day snack.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef (80–90% lean)
1 small onion finely chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup finely chopped dill pickles
2 tablespoons dill pickle juice
1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish (optional)
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
32 ounces frozen tater tots
2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/4 cup extra burger sauce or thousand island dressing for drizzling
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, and cook while breaking it up with a spatula until mostly browned.
3. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes, until the onion is softened and the beef is fully cooked.
4. Drain any excess grease from the pan, then season the beef with salt, black pepper, ketchup, yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, stirring well to combine.
5. Let the beef mixture simmer for 1–2 minutes, then remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside.
6. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, chopped dill pickles, pickle juice, sweet relish, white vinegar, paprika, onion powder, and a pinch of salt to make the Big Mac–style sauce.
7. Spread the seasoned beef mixture evenly in the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish.
8. Spoon about two-thirds of the Big Mac–style sauce over the beef layer and gently spread it into an even layer.
9. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the saucy beef layer.
10. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the cheese, placing them snugly side by side.
11. Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, or until the tater tots are deeply golden and crispy and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
12. If desired, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end of baking to make the tater tots extra crispy, watching closely so they do not burn.
13. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5–10 minutes to set slightly.
14. Just before serving, top the casserole with shredded iceberg lettuce and a handful of extra chopped pickles if you like.
15. Drizzle the remaining Big Mac–style sauce or thousand island dressing over the top and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
16. Scoop into bowls or plates and serve immediately while the tater tots are still warm and crisp.
Notes
For the best flavor, use dill pickles and a little pickle juice in the sauce – it gives the casserole that true Big Mac tang.
Arrange the tater tots in a tight, single layer so they brown and crisp evenly; a quick broil at the end helps them get extra crunchy.
Add the shredded lettuce and sauce drizzle only after baking so the topping stays fresh and crisp and doesn’t wilt in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 1350
- Fat: 48
- Saturated Fat: 19
- Unsaturated Fat: 26
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 32
- Cholesterol: 135
Keywords: big mac tater tot casserole, easy dinner, quick dinner, ground beef casserole, family friendly comfort food, tater tot casserole, dinner ideas, weeknight dinner, easy recipe, food ideas