Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
Looking for a tasty and easy dinner recipe? You should try making our big Mac tater tot casserole. This recipe has all the deliciousness right in one dish. This recipe is so good, it might be one of your new favorites!
Big Mac Casserole
Our recipe for a Big Mac casserole is super easy and it makes a delicious meal all in one pan. It allows you to enjoy a fabulous meal that can be made in advance, and it just might taste better than the real thing.
This recipe makes for a fun and delicious meal when you’re in a hurry and don’t know what to make.
What Is Big Mac Casserole
A Big Mac tater dark casserole is literally loaded down with all the fillings from a Big Mac. Then it is topped with frozen tater tots and baked to perfection. It allows you to enjoy all the delicious goodies inside of a Big Mac, topped with delightfully crunchy tater tots, making it an all-around delicious meal.
Tater Tot “Big Mac” Casserole
Ingredients
Casserole:
Ground Beef. Big Mac tater tot casserole you can use your favorite type of ground beef. We recommend using at least an 80/20 mixture, but whatever your preference is will work out just fine.
Tater Tots. Frozen tater tots work the best for topping off your casserole. We recommend using the regular-sized tater tots, but if you want to try using the mini ones, these will also work and give you an extra crunch.
Cheese. In the casserole portion of this recipe, we recommend using small cubes of cheese. We like to take a block of cheese, cut it into small pieces, and then mix it into the casserole portion.
We will go into step-by-step instructions later on, but it is important to know that we prefer a block of cheese cut into pieces, which can be your favorite type of cheese. Colby Jack works as well as Cheddar and American.
Topping:
Dill Pickle. We recommend using small dill pickles that have been cut into slices as one of the toppings for your casserole.
Cheese. Another of our favorite toppings to use is cheese. To top the casserole, we prefer to use either shredded cheese or slices of American cheese that are cut into small squares.
Onion. Using finely diced onions will also make for a delicious topping on your Big Mac tater tot casserole.
You can use yellow, white, red, or sweet onions on your casserole. Our preference is to use yellow onions, but you can use whichever you prefer.
Tomato. Although not typically included on a Big Mac, you can also cut up a Roma tomato into slices or dice it and include it on top of your casserole.
Lettuce. Sliced iceberg or romaine lettuce added on top of your casserole after it has been baked will also make for an authentic and delicious-tasting meal.
Big Mac Sauce (copycat):
Thousand island dressing. We recommend using Thousand Island dressing mixed with other ingredients to make your copycat sauce for your casserole. You may substitute Thousand Island dressing for French dressing if you prefer.
Mayonnaise. Regular mayonnaise also works as the base of the dressing. You could use full-fat or a third less-fat mayonnaise.
Garlic salt. We recommend using a bit of garlic salt to help season the sauce for your casserole. Substitute garlic salt with a bit of garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Onion powder. We also recommend that you include some onion powder to season the sauce as well.
How To Make Big Mac Casserole
To make the casserole, you will begin by cooking the ground beef in a skillet on your stovetop over medium heat. Cook the ground beef along with a little bit of water until it is lightly browned. Once done, drain your grease and set aside for a few minutes to cool.
In a mixing bowl combine your Thousand Island dressing, mayonnaise, garlic salt, and onion powder. Stir until your sauce is combined.
Into the mixing bowl with your sauce, add your ground beef, and stir so that the beef is coated in your sauce. Pour it into a lightly greased baking dish. Spread out evenly so that the ground beef mixture covers the entire bottom of the pan.
Cover your beef layer in a layer of cheese cubes, then take your frozen tater tots and arrange them on top.
Preheat your oven to 375°F. (If using a glass dish, be sure to add it to a cold oven.)
When it is preheated, add your casserole to the warmed oven, and bake for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. You are looking for your tater tots to be nice and golden before removing the dish from the oven.
While the casserole is baking, prepare your toppings. Slice the dill pickles, thinly dice your onions, cut the tomatoes, cut the lettuce, and shred the cheese.
When your casserole is done baking in the oven, remove it and add your toppings so that they are evenly distributed across the top of your casserole. If desired you can drizzle more Thousand Island dressing on top, then serve right away and enjoy!
Tips and Variations
Make Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole Ahead of Time
To make your Big Mac tater tot casserole ahead of time, you can prepare it by first cooking the ground beef and assembling that layer, then add a layer of cheese, and top with the frozen tater tots.
At this point, we would recommend covering it with plastic wrap, and placing it into the fridge until you are ready to bake. It can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
Crock Pot Big Mac Casserole
You can also prepare this entire casserole in the crockpot if desired. To make it in the crockpot first begin by adding your ground beef and water into the crockpot. Cook on high for 2 to 3 hours until your ground beef is browned.
Once browned, add your Thousand Island dressing, mayonnaise, and seasonings to the crockpot. Stir to combine.
Cover your ground beef layer with cheese, and top with tater tots. Continue baking for another 2 to 3 hours until your tater tots are done. Add your toppings before serving, then serve and enjoy.
Keto Version
This recipe alone fits well with the keto diet. The main goal of keto is to have high fat and low carbs. Simply make sure that none of these ingredients contain much sugar, and you are good to go.
Optional Toppings:
Think of your favorite burger toppings, and feel free to add them to this casserole if you want. Some favorite toppings that you could add in addition are listed below:
Bacon
Sesame seeds
Ketchup
Mustard
Storage, Leftovers and Freezing
How to Store Big Mac Casserole?
Room temperature. This Big Mac tater tot casserole should be left at room temperature for no more than two hours before storing it in the fridge.
If it is left out longer than two hours you run the risk of consuming unwanted bacteria that could make you very sick.
In the fridge. To store a Big Mac tater tot casserole in the fridge, you can leave it in the casserole dish and cover it securely in plastic wrap, or you can transfer it to an airtight container so that it is sealed securely.
Store in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
Freezing. You can also assemble and freeze the casserole or freeze leftovers.
Please note that we do not recommend freezing the casserole if it contains lettuce or other toppings which are best enjoyed fresh.
Please also note that if you are making it with the intention of freezing the casserole, it is best to add the mayonnaise after it has been thawed because mayonnaise does not often go through the freezing and dying process without separating.
Once the casserole is frozen in the airtight container, it can be kept in the freezer for up to three months.
How Do You Reheat Tater Tot Casserole?
There are several ways you can reheat a tot casserole. Below are the details for each one.
Oven. To reheat a tater tot casserole in the oven make sure your casserole is in an oven-safe dish, then preheat the oven to 350°F. Cover your baking dish with aluminum foil, then place it into the oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the casserole is reheated.
Please note that when you are reheating the casserole, it’s a good idea to remove toppings such as lettuce before baking it.
Microwave. You can also reheat the tater tot casserole in the microwave, please note that it may change the texture of your tater tots.
To reheat in the microwave, place a serving size of the casserole into a microwave-safe dish, and cover it with a lightly damp paper towel.
Microwave for one to two minutes until it is warmed.
Air Fryer. You can also reheat a serving size of the casserole in the air fryer, depending upon the size of your air fryer.
If your air fryer basket is small, then you can only reheat a single serving size.
If it is large you may be able to reheat the whole leftover casserole.
To reheat make sure that your dish is safe to go in your air fryer, then preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Add your casserole, then bake in the air fryer for 10 to 15 minutes or until it is reheated.
Please note that the time may vary depending on your air fryer.
What to serve with this casserole?
While this recipe in and of itself makes up your main dish, you may wish to serve it with other sides, or desserts. Below are a few of our favorites.
FAQs
How Long Can You Keep Tater Tot Casserole?
At room temperature, the casserole can be kept no more than two hours, in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days when stored properly, or if frozen, for up to three months.
Do I have to use ground beef?
No, if you wish to use another type of meat, you may substitute ground beef for another kind of meat.
Can you use other meats beside beef?
If you wish to include meat in a casserole but do not want to include ground beef whether it’s for the cost of the meat, or another reason, there are other meats that you may substitute if you wish.
Some good alternatives to ground beef include ground turkey, ground chicken, and ground pork.
What size casserole dish should you use?
This recipe makes an 8 x 8 casserole. However, if you wish to make a 9 x 13, you can simply double the recipe.
BEST Big Mac Casserole Recipe with Tater Tots
We think that this recipe is very tasty and quite simple to make. If you are looking for a delicious casserole recipe that is out of the norm, then you should give this recipe a try. It’s easy, delicious, and one that most everyone in the family will enjoy.
We hope that you will give this recipe a try and be sure to comment below and let us know what you think about it. We love to hear from you!
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Big Mac Casserole Recipe
Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
Casserole:
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1/2 bag Frozen Tater Tots
- 1 cup Cheese
Topping:
- 1/2 cup Dill pickle chopped
- 1/2 cup Cheese shredded
- 1 small Onion chopped
- 1 – 2 medium Tomato sliced
- 1 cup Lettice chopped
Big Mac Sauce:
- 1/3 cup Thousand island dressing
- 3/4 cup Mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp Garlic salt
- 1/2 tsp Onion powder
Instructions
- To make the casserole, you will begin by cooking the ground beef in a skillet on your stovetop over medium heat. Cook the ground beef along with a little bit of water until it is lightly browned. Once done, drain your grease and set aside for a few minutes to cool.
- In a mixing bowl combine your thousand island dressing, mayonnaise, garlic salt, and onion powder. Stir until your sauce is combined.
- Into the mixing bowl with your sauce, add your ground beef, and Star so that the beef is coated in your sauce. Pour it into a lightly greased baking dish. Out evenly so that the ground beef mixture covers the entire bottom of the pan.
- Cover your beef layer in a layer of cheese cubes, then take your frozen tater tots and arrange them on top.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. (If using a glass dish, be sure to add it to a cold oven.)
- When it is preheated, add your casserole to the warmed oven, and bake for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. You are looking for your tater tots to be nice and golden before removing the dish from the oven.
- While the casserole is baking, prepare your toppings. Slice the dill pickles, thinly dice your onions, cut the tomatoes, cut the lettice, and shred the cheese.
- When your casserole is done baking in the oven, remove it and add your topping so that they are evenly distributed across the top of your casserole. If desired you can drizzle more thousand island dressing on top, then serve right away and enjoy!
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