Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole

Name: Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon olive oil; 1 small onion (diced, about 1/2 cup diced onion); 1 pound lean ground beef; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1 1/2 cups half & half (divided); 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (see note*); 1 2 pound bag frozen tater tots (see note**); 1/3 cup mayonnaise; 1 teaspoon dill pickle relish; 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar; 1/2 teaspoon mustard

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This Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food mashup you never knew you needed. Taking all the yummy flavors of America’s favorite burger and transforming them into a cozy casserole topped with crispy tater tots! Trust me, this is about to become your new favorite way to satisfy those Big Mac cravings!

Big mac tater tot casserole in a skillet topped with lettuce and cherry tomatoes.

I’ve always believed that the best recipes come from combining familiar favorites in unexpected ways. And since I am known as the casserole queen to friends and family! This big mac tater tot casserole recipe was a no-brainer! This all-in-one dish brings together seasoned ground beef, a rich cheese sauce, and that iconic Big Mac sauce we all know and love! The tater tots on top create the perfect crispy layer, replacing the traditional sesame seed bun but delivering a delicious twist with their golden-brown crunch.

This comfort food casserole is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something that’ll satisfy the whole family, but it’s also a guaranteed hit at potlucks and game day gatherings. The best part? It comes together in under an hour!

Nikki’s Recipe Rundown

Taste: Rich and savory with that unmistakable Big Mac flavor profile!
Texture: Crispy, golden-brown tater tots are layers on top of a cheesy beef layer underneath for the perfect contrast in every bite.
Ease: Simple to assemble with straightforward ingredients and clear steps!
Pros: Makes enough to feed a crowd, can be prepped ahead, uses easy-to-find ingredients, and transforms a fast-food favorite into a comforting casserole that can easily be made at home.
Considerations: This is truly an easy dinner recipe, but you’ll want to grate your own cheese for the best results!
Recipe Repeatability: A reliable crowd-pleaser that’s easy enough for weeknight dinners, making it a recipe you’ll reach for again and again.

Ingredients Needed for Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole

Labeled photo of ingredients needed to make big mac tater tot casserole.

For the Casserole

Olive Oil: Use a bit of olive oil to sauté the onion before adding the ground beef to the skillet!
Onion: Onion adds a savory depth of flavor to the ground beef mixture.
Ground Beef: I like to use lean ground beef here to reduce the amount of fat.
Spices: You will need salt, garlic powder and paprika to season up the beef to perfection!
Half & Half: Half and half is the base of the creamy cheese sauce.
Cornstarch: Cornstarch will thicken up the cheese sauce to the perfect consistency.
Cheddar Cheese: For the best melt factor, go for a block of cheddar cheese that you shred yourself. If you use pre-shredded cheddar cheese, the cheese won’t melt into the half-and-half!
Tater Tots: Use frozen tater tots that have not been thawed. They will crisp up nicely in the oven!

For the Big Mac Sauce

Mayonnaise: The base of classic Big Mac sauce in mayonnaise.
Dill Pickle Relish: For a tangy, irresistible flavor!
Smoked Paprika: Smoked paprika is best here since it adds just the right amount of smoky flavor.
Sugar: To balance out all the flavors!
Mustard: Mustard helps to emulsify the mixture and adds a depth of flavor to the sauce.

Variations and Substitutions

Meat: Swap ground turkey or chicken for the beef if you need a lighter option.
Add Bacon: Create a bacon cheeseburger version by sprinkling crispy, crumbled bacon on top!
Tots: I love the classic tater tots here, but you can try sweet potato tots for a different twist!
Spice: Make it spicy by adding diced jalapeños and pepper jack cheese to the cheese sauce.
Paprika: Substitute regular paprika if you don’t have smoked paprika on hand.

💡Shortcut Ideas 💡

Instead of making your own Big Mac sauce, you can use your favorite store-bought special burger sauce or Thousand Island dressing!
Although block cheese is best here, you can save time by adding pre-shredded cheese to the mix.
Make sure to use an oven-safe skillet so that you can go directly from the stove into the oven, saving some time and reducing the dirty dishes.

How To Make Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole

✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!

Step 1 | Cook the Beef

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the diced onion until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Side by side photos of cooking diced onion in olive oil.

Add the beef and cook until fully browned, crumbling it into small pieces with a spatula. Drain the extra fat. Season the beef with the kosher salt, garlic powder and paprika. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.

Side by side photos of browning the beef with an onion in a skillet.

Step 2 | Make the Cheese Sauce

Make the cheese sauce. Warm 1 cup half and half over medium heat. Add the remaining ½ cup half and half and the cornstarch to a bowl and whisk until no lumps remain. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the skillet and stir until the half and half is warmed through and slightly thickened.

Side by side photos of making a cheese sauce in a skillet.

Add the shredded cheese to the skillet and stir well until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Overhead shot of finished cheese sauce in a skillet.

Add the beef back to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Spread the beef evenly in a baking dish or oven-proof skillet.

Side by side photos of cheese sauce with ground beef added back in.

Step 3 | Top with Tater Tots & Bake

Layer the tater tots on top of the beef in a single layer. Do not overlap or stack the tater tots.

Side by side photos of the ground beef and cheese mixture being topped with frozen tater tots.

Bake the casserole for 30-40 minutes in the preheated oven, until the tater tots are golden brown and the casserole is hot and bubbly.

Side by side photos of tater tots layers on top before and after baking.

Step 4 | Make the Big Mac Sauce

While the casserole is in the oven, mix the big mac sauce. Add the mayonnaise, relish, paprika, sugar and mustard to a small mixing bowl and stir thoroughly.

Side by side photos of mixing together the big mac sauce ingredients in a small bowl.

Refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 5 | Serve

When the casserole is finished, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Drizzle generously with Big Mac sauce, and top with your favorite toppings.

Overhead shot of the baked and garnished big mac tater tot casserole.

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Tips for Recipe Success

Don’t overcrowd the tater tots – a single layer on top of the hamburger tater tot casserole ensures maximum crispiness!
Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking so the cheese sauce can set. If you dig in too soon, the mixture will be messier to serve.
To create layers of flavor in the casserole, I like to season the ground beef well and let it brown nicely in the pan.
When grating your own cheese, it is easiest to grate when the cheese is cold from the refrigerator!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this ahead?

To make it ahead of time, prepare everything except the tater tots up to 24 hours in advance, then top with frozen tots just before baking.

How do I know when my big mac tater tot casserole is done cooking?

You will know when it is done when the tots are golden brown, and the edges are bubbling! Since the beef and cheese mixture is already cooked, you want to make sure that the tots are heated through all the way and crispy on the top.

Big mac tater tot casserole portioned out onto plates.

What to Serve with Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole

This casserole is fantastic served with crisp, cold sides that remind you of classic burger toppings. I recommend garnishing the casserole with sliced pickles, tomatoes, diced onions, or shredded lettuce. A wedge salad, or a Caesar salad with homemade croutons would all make perfect accompaniments, too!

Finish the meal off with my easy cherry hand pies, you could even sub in apples to get that true McDonald’s dessert experience.

Storage

Keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. While you can reheat portions in the microwave, the tater tots will be the crispiest if you reheat in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes.

The Big Mac sauce can be stored separately in an airtight container for up to a week.

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Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole

Nikki’s Recipe Rundown