Description
Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that transforms the iconic burger into a cheesy, oven-baked casserole. With layers of savory ground beef, tangy pickles, melty cheddar, creamy sauce, and a crispy tater tot topping, it’s the ultimate twist on fast food nostalgia. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or game day, this casserole is satisfying, easy to make, and full of fun flavor.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 cup yellow onion, diced
1 cup dill pickles, chopped
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Thousand Island dressing or Big Mac-style special sauce
1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 cup shredded lettuce (optional, for topping)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and diced onion until beef is fully cooked and no pink remains. Drain excess grease.
3. Stir in chopped pickles, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Let the mixture cook for another 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors.
4. Transfer the beef mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
5. Drizzle Thousand Island dressing or special sauce over the beef layer.
6. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the sauced beef.
7. Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese.
8. Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, until the tater tots are golden and the cheese is bubbly.
9. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Top with shredded lettuce if desired and more sauce for extra flavor.
Notes
For the crispiest topping, avoid crowding the tater tots—place them in a single, even layer.
Want extra tang? Add a spoonful of pickle juice to your sauce or beef mixture.
Freshly shredded cheddar melts more smoothly than pre-shredded—worth the extra step!