Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole

Have you ever craved the flavors of a Big Mac but wanted something more substantial and comforting for dinner? This Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole is the perfect hearty casserole for busy weeknights! Combining all the classic tastes of the beloved fast-food burger with the warmth and heartiness of a casserole, this recipe is sure to make your whole family happy. Whether you’re looking for an easy dinner recipe to whip up or something fun and different to serve at a family gathering, this casserole is a total winner!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Come on, my Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole recipe is just plain FUN. It’s an easy recipe that delivers on flavor without requiring a lot of fuss in the kitchen. The crispy tater tots on top add yummy texture, while the juicy ground beef gives you all the savory goodness you expect from a Big Mac. Plus, with the addition of Velveeta cheese, Thousand Island Dressing, and dill pickle relish, you get a creamy, tangy base that ties everything together.

How to Make Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole

Making Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole is as simple as cooking the beef, mixing it with the other ingredients, and layering everything in a baking dish. Grab your ingredients and you’ll be on the road to golden brown perfection in the oven!

Ingredients

Lean Ground Beef: The foundation of this casserole, lean ground beef provides that rich, meaty flavor reminiscent of beef patties in a Big Mac.

Frozen Tater Tots: These little potato gems form the crispy topping for the casserole, baking up to a perfect golden brown in the oven.

Yellow Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor when sautéed with the beef.

Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the flavor of the beef mixture.

Garlic Powder: Adds a hint of aromatic garlic flavor, making the beef mixture even more delicious.

Velveeta Cheese: Melts smoothly into the beef mixture, creating a creamy base that pairs perfectly with the tangy pickles and special sauce.

Dill Pickle Relish: Adds that signature tang and crunch that’s a hallmark of the Big Mac version of the casserole.

Thousand Island Dressing: Also known as Big Mac Sauce or creamy Big Mac sauce, this dressing brings everything together with its creamy, slightly sweet flavor.

Colby-jack Cheese: A perfect topping for the beef mixture, it melts beautifully under the tater tots, adding a layer of melty cheese.

Iceberg Lettuce: For garnish, shredded lettuce adds a fresh crunch that contrasts nicely with the rich casserole.

Diced Tomatoes: Another garnish option, adding a burst of freshness and color.

Sesame Seeds: Sprinkling these on top adds a nod to the sesame seed bun that’s so iconic in a Big Mac.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step One: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. This ensures the oven is hot and ready when it’s time to bake your yummy Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole.

Step Two: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together. Season the mixture with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are translucent, making sure to stir occasionally. Once done, drain excess grease from the skillet.

Step Three: Reduce the heat to medium heat and add the Velveeta cheese, Thousand Island Dressing, and dill pickle relish to the skillet. Stir everything together until your cheese is fully melted and the mixture is well combined.

Step Four: Prepare a 9×13 baking dish by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray. Transfer the cooked beef mixture into the dish, spreading it out evenly across the bottom.

Step Five: Sprinkle your finely shredded cheese over the beef mixture, ensuring it covers the entire casserole evenly. Next, place tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese, leaving a little space between each tot for extra crispiness.

Step Six: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the tater tots are crispy and golden brown. In find that 40 minutes is perfect.

Step Seven: Once baking is complete, remove the Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole from the oven and let it cool a bit. If you’d like, you can sprinkle lettuce, diced tomatoes, and sesame seeds on top for added flavor and texture. Don’t forget an extra drizzle of your faux Big Mac Sauce, a.k.a. Thousand Island Dressing!

Substitutions and Variations

One of the best things about this Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole recipe is how flexible it is. Here are some ideas for substitutions and variations you can try:

• Ground Turkey or Chicken: For a lighter version, substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or ground chicken. Both will still provide a rich, hearty base, but with fewer calories.
• Different Cheeses: While the recipe calls for Colby-jack cheese, you can experiment with other kinds of cheese like cheddar, mozzarella, or even pepper jack for a bit of heat. The type of cheese you choose can change the flavor profile slightly. If you don’t have Velveeta, you could even melt 5-6 American cheese slices into your cooked ground beef mixture!
• Relish Variations: If you prefer a milder, sweeter flavor, you can use sweet pickle relish instead of dill. This will give the casserole a slightly different, but still delicious, taste. Don’t want to use relish at all? Use some fast-food style dill pickles for some flavor and texture. I’d recommend chopping them up a bit.
• Add More Veggies: Feel free to bulk up the casserole by adding other veggies to the beef mixture. Diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or even a handful of spinach can add extra nutrients and flavor.
• Thousand Island Dressing Swaps: In my. opinion, Thousand Island Dressing is a great Big Mac Sauce dupe. However, there are other Big Mac Sauce dupes out there in your local grocery stores. In my opinion, the only one worth its salt is Walmart’s Great Value brand “Secret Sauce.” It tastes quite a big like Big Mac Sauce and is perfect for this Big Mac casserole recipe.

Best Tips for Making Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole

Here are some tips and tricks to help you make the best possible version of this Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole:

• Crispier Tater Tots: To ensure your tater tots come out extra crispy, arrange them with a small gap between each one. This allows hot air to circulate around each tot, making them nice and crunchy on all sides.
• Use a Large Saute Pan: When cooking the beef mixture, use a large skillet to avoid overcrowding. This ensures the beef browns evenly and the onions cook through properly.
• Drain the Beef Well: After cooking the beef, make sure to drain excess grease thoroughly. This helps prevent the casserole from becoming too oily.
• Add Toppings Last: If you’re planning on having leftovers, it’s best to add the lettuce, tomatoes, and sesame seeds to individual portions after reheating. This keeps the toppings fresh and crisp. Alternatively, If you’re planning to serve the entire casserole immediately, you can definitely add all the garnishes to the top of the dish (it is pretty that way, after all).
• Customize the Sauce: Feel free to adjust the amount of Thousand Island Dressing or add a drizzle of it over the finished casserole. It’s an easy way to tweak the flavor to your liking.

​How to Store

Storing your Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole is easy and convenient. After the casserole has cooled, you can transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. This will keep the casserole fresh in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply reheat in the oven or microwave, adding fresh toppings if desired.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the casserole up to the point of baking and then refrigerate it. When you’re ready to bake, just pop it in the oven as directed. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time since the casserole will be cold.

Can I skip the extra toppings?

Absolutely! This Big Mac Casserole is a tasty, cheesy ground beef casserole even without the optional fresh garnishes. However, you’ll be surprised how much more it tastes like a big mac with the extra sauce, lettuce, and sesame seeds. Admittedly, the tomatoes are really just to give the dish some color and a burst of extra freshness. You can adjust the toppings to suit your preferences.

How can I make Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole healthier? 

​To make this dish a bit healthier, try using ground turkey or ground chicken instead of beef, reducing the amount of cheese, or adding extra veggies like bell peppers or spinach to the beef mixture. With all that said, this is not diet food. I’d say if you’re looking for a super-healthy dinner, maybe look elsewhere, haha!

This Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole is sure to become a family favorite with its blend of classic flavors and fun presentation. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this dish offers a fun twist on a fast-food burger that everyone will enjoy. Plus, with so much versatility, you can really get creative. Don’t forget to save this printable recipe card for the next time you’re in the mood for something comforting, delicious, and unique!

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