Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bake

This Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bake is the ultimate comfort food mashup, combining the best elements of a cheeseburger with the crispy goodness of tater tots. Imagine layers of seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, and gooey melted cheese, all topped with golden tater tots for a deliciously indulgent meal. It’s a one-pan wonder that’s perfect for feeding a crowd, satisfying even the pickiest eaters. This dish is ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, delivering all the flavors of a bacon cheeseburger in a fun and easy-to-make casserole.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp yellow mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 8 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 (32 oz) bag of frozen tater tots
• 1/4 cup pickles, chopped (optional)
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise (optional)
• 1/4 cup diced tomatoes (optional)
• 1/4 cup shredded lettuce (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it’s browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.
3. Add the diced onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is soft, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, mustard, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.
5. Spread the beef mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
6. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture.
7. Layer the crumbled bacon evenly over the cheese.
8. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the bacon.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
10. Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese on top. Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Optional: Top the bake with chopped pickles, mayonnaise, diced tomatoes, and shredded lettuce for a fully loaded bacon cheeseburger experience.
12. Let the bake cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bake!