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Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole

Featured in Satisfying Hearty Mains.

Classic burger flavors meet tater tot casserole in this comfort food dish. Ground beef layered with cheese and tots, topped with lettuce and dressing.
Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 15:51:41 GMT
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A spoonful of cheesy tater tots with melted cheese and pieces of lettuce being lifted from a baked dish. Pin it
A spoonful of cheesy tater tots with melted cheese and pieces of lettuce being lifted from a baked dish. | recipesbyclare.com

Let me tell you about my family's new obsession this Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole. I came up with it one night when we were craving both comfort food and fast food flavors. That combo of juicy beef crispy tots and that special sauce takes me right back to the drive thru but so much better because it's homemade.

What Makes This So Good

This isn't just any casserole. It's loaded with all those Big Mac flavors we love but transformed into the most comforting dish ever. The tater tots get so perfectly crispy on top while that cheese gets all melty underneath. Pure heaven.

What You'll Need

  • Ground Beef: 1 pound I use lean but not too lean.
  • Butter: 2 tablespoons for extra richness.
  • The Sauce: 1/3 cup Thousand Island and mayo.
  • Onion: 1/2 cup diced nice and fine.
  • Pickles: 1/3 cup diced the tangy kick makes it.
  • Cheese: 2 cups I mix cheddar and mozz.
  • Tater Tots: One bag frozen gold right here.
  • Seasonings: Garlic onion powder salt pepper.
  • Fresh Stuff: Lettuce for that classic finish.
A baked dish of crispy tater tots topped with a creamy sauce and chopped lettuce. Pin it
A baked dish of crispy tater tots topped with a creamy sauce and chopped lettuce. | recipesbyclare.com

Let's Get Cooking

First Things First
Get that oven hot to 400°F grease your baking dish.
Cook the Beef
Brown it with butter drain off extra fat.
Make It Saucy
Mix in all those good flavors the sauce pickles seasonings.
Layer It Up
Beef mixture first then cheese then tots on top.
Bake to Perfect
About 45 minutes till those tots are golden.

My Best Tips

Always grate your own cheese it melts so much better. Make sure those tots are in a nice even layer for maximum crispiness. Let it rest a few minutes before serving trust me it's worth the wait.

Mix It Up

Sometimes I use ground turkey to make it lighter or add extra veggies like bell peppers. My spice loving friends add jalapeños or hot sauce. The great thing about this casserole is how forgiving it is you really can't go wrong.

A spoon lifts a serving of cheesy casserole topped with crispy tater tots and green lettuce from a baking dish. Pin it
A spoon lifts a serving of cheesy casserole topped with crispy tater tots and green lettuce from a baking dish. | recipesbyclare.com

Perfect for Sharing

This is my go to dish for potlucks and game days. It travels well and stays warm forever. Plus it feeds a crowd and everyone always asks for the recipe.

Leftovers Magic

If you're lucky enough to have leftovers they're amazing the next day. I reheat them in the oven to keep those tots crispy. Sometimes I stuff the leftovers in wraps for lunch totally game changing.

Make It Special

Want to really wow people? Add some sesame seeds on top just like a Big Mac bun. I sometimes add crispy fried onions too. It's those little touches that make people smile.

Family Favorite

This casserole has become our Friday night tradition. The kids get excited when they smell it baking and my husband says it's better than the real thing. It's comfort food meets fun food at its best.

A baked casserole dish filled with golden-brown tater tots, melted cheese, and green onions, served alongside a bowl of soup in the background. Pin it
A baked casserole dish filled with golden-brown tater tots, melted cheese, and green onions, served alongside a bowl of soup in the background. | recipesbyclare.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep this ahead?
Assemble without toppings and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add extra cook time if cold.
→ What can I substitute for Thousand Island?
Mix mayo, ketchup and sweet relish for homemade version. French dressing works too.
→ Should I thaw the tater tots?
Use frozen tots directly from freezer for best crispiness.
→ Can I freeze this casserole?
Freeze before adding lettuce. Thaw overnight and reheat until hot. Add fresh toppings.

Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole

Ground beef casserole with big mac toppings and crispy tater tots. Perfect comfort food mashup.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1 9x13 casserole)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 2 pounds ground beef.
02 1 tablespoon butter.
03 1 cup Thousand Island dressing.
04 1/4 cup mayonnaise.
05 1 cup diced onion.
06 1 cup diced dill pickles.
07 1 tablespoon onion powder.
08 1 tablespoon garlic powder.
09 1 cup cheddar cheese.
10 1 cup Colby Jack cheese.
11 24 ounces frozen tater tots.
12 1 cup shredded lettuce.
13 1/4 cup Thousand Island for topping.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat oven to 400°F. Grease 9x13 pan.

Step 02

Brown beef with butter, drain fat.

Step 03

Add dressing, mayo, onion, pickles and seasonings to beef.

Step 04

Put beef in pan. Top with cheese then tots.

Step 05

Cook 40-45 minutes until tots are golden.

Step 06

Top with lettuce and extra dressing.

Notes

  1. Serve while warm.
  2. Can prep ahead without toppings.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13 baking dish.
  • Large skillet.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Eggs.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 680
  • Total Fat: 48 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein: 32 g