Tater Tot Cheeseburger Casserole
This Tater Tot Cheeseburger Casserole combines juicy ground beef, melty cheddar, and crispy golden tater tots into one crave-worthy dinner. It’s a 30-minute family favorite that’s nostalgic, satisfying, and lightened-up with Greek yogurt. Perfect for weeknights or meal prep!
Creator: Leslie Stokes
Okay, let’s be real — there’s no better feeling than pulling a bubbly, cheesy casserole out of the oven after a busy day. And this Tater Tot Cheeseburger Casserole is exactly that kind of recipe.
It’s the ultimate family dinner because it’s fast, comforting, and even a little nostalgic — like a throwback to the school-night meals we grew up on, only a little lighter and way more flavorful. Every bite tastes like a loaded cheeseburger: savory ground beef, gooey melted cheddar, and crispy tater tots on top. It just feels like happiness in a baking dish.
This one came together on a night when I needed something the kids would actually eat without a fight. No chopping veggies for hours, no long marinades — just simple ingredients I always have on hand. It’s a busy-mom dream because you can throw it together in under 10 minutes and let the oven do the rest.
If you’re feeding a crowd or using a big casserole dish, I definitely recommend doubling the meat to get that perfect ratio of beef to tots. It stays juicy, holds its shape, and feels a little more substantial — plus, leftovers reheat beautifully.
This recipe fits right into my What We Had for Dinner series because it’s everything I love about weeknight meals: quick, comforting, high-protein, and kid-approved. It’s the type of meal that makes you look like you tried when you barely had time to think about dinner.
Tips & Variations
Add veggies: Finely chopped bell peppers or zucchini mix in well and add color.
Go extra crispy: Air fry the tots for 5 minutes before adding them to the casserole for a crunchier top.
Make it spicy: Add a dash of hot sauce or chipotle powder to the meat mixture.
Low-carb swap: Use cauliflower tots instead of potato tots.
Serving idea: Drizzle with burger sauce (ketchup + mustard + Greek yogurt) and top with extra pickles.
Why You’ll Love It
Ready in under 30 minutes start-to-finish.
Simple, family-friendly ingredients.
Easy to double for crowds or freezer meals.
Protein-packed and lighter than the classic version.
Feels fun and indulgent but totally doable on a busy night.
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
To Store:
Let the casserole cool, then store in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
To Reheat:
Microwave individual portions for 1–2 minutes or pop in the oven at 375 °F for 10 minutes to keep tots crispy.
To Freeze:
Freeze before baking (up to 2 months). Bake straight from frozen at 375 °F for 35–40 minutes.
Meal Prep Idea:
Divide into individual containers and pair with a side salad for a balanced, high-protein lunch that feels like comfort food.
Tater Tot Cheeseburger Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef 2 lb if using a large casserole dish or have big eaters (double seasonings for meat)
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ cup chopped pickles optional but amazing
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- ⅓ cup cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese split in half
- 1 lb frozen gluten-free tater tots
- Salt pepper, and garlic powder (to taste)
Let's Make It
- Preheat oven: 400°F and lightly grease your baking dish.
- Cook beef: In a large skillet, brown beef and onion together until the beef is cooked through. Drain any extra fat. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Add flavor to the meat: Stir in ketchup, mustard, cream cheese, and half of the cheese until combined and creamy.
- Assemble: Spread the beef mixture evenly into the baking dish.
- Top: Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and arrange tater tots in a single, even layer.
- Bake: Bake 20–25 minutes until the tots are crispy and the cheese is bubbly.
- Serve: Top with extra pickles, green onions or my homemade burger sauce for that true cheeseburger flavor.
The Best Burger Sauce for Bowls, Burgers, and Fries
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise or greek yogurt nutrition is based using a light mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup dill relish
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp white vinegar
Let's Make It
- combine all of the ingredients in a small glass bowl or mason jar.
- store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 serving (¼ recipe with 1 lb beef)
Calories: 500
Protein: 40 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Total Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 680 mg
(Double meat for a larger dish — protein will increase to ≈ 52 g per serving with similar calories.)
