Crispy Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
This Crispy Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole is a delightful fusion of classic cheeseburgers and crispy tater tots. It makes a perfect comfort food dish that can be served for family dinners or parties. It's gooey, cheesy, and packed with flavor, all while being incredibly easy to prepare.
Equipment
- 1 large skillet
- 1 casserole dish (9x13 inches)
- 1 mixing spoon
- 1 measuring cups and spoons
- 1 oven
- 1 spatula
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup mustard
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 32 oz frozen tater tots
- ¼ cup pickles, diced optional, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef.
- Add the diced onion and cook until the onion is soft, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Remove from heat and mix in the ketchup and mustard until well combined.
- In a greased 9x13 inch casserole dish, layer half of the tater tots on the bottom.
- Spread the beef mixture evenly over the tater tots, then sprinkle both the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese on top.
- Layer the remaining tater tots over the cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the tater tots are crispy and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Optionally, top with diced pickles before serving.
Notes
Feel free to customize the cheese to your preference; American cheese can also be a great option for a cheeseburger flavor.
For a spicier kick, add diced jalapeños or hot sauce to the beef mixture.
This casserole can be made ahead of time and refrigerated before baking for a quick meal option. Adjust baking time accordingly if cooking from cold.