Craving the flavors of a McDonald’s Big Mac but don’t want to make a fast food run? This Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole brings all those classic tastes right to your dinner table. It’s got the seasoned beef, special sauce, melty cheese, and even the pickles – all the things that make a Big Mac great but in a homemade casserole form.
This dish is super easy to put together and incredibly filling. It’s a surefire way to satisfy those fast food cravings while feeding the whole family. Plus, it’s ready in just an hour, making it perfect easy casserole for busy weeknights when you want something tasty but are trying to avoid the drive-thru.
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I love making this Big Mac Casserole when I’m craving fast food but want to stay in. It’s a real money-saver and tastes even better than the drive-thru version. Plus, it’s a hit with my family – they always ask for seconds!
One of the best things about this casserole is how easy it is to prep. I often make it on busy weeknights when I don’t have time to fuss in the kitchen. The tater tot base is a fun twist that makes it extra filling and adds a nice crunch.
Sometimes, I’ll set out extra toppings, like more pickles or shredded lettuce, so everyone can customize their portion. It’s a fun way to bring those familiar Big Mac flavors to the dinner table without the mess of actual burgers.
Ingredient Notes
See the printable recipe card below for all ingredients, specific measurements, and complete instructions.
- Tater tots: These form the base of the casserole. They crisp up nicely and mimic the bun of a Big Mac.
- Ground beef: I use 93% lean, but you can use whatever you prefer. For a lighter option, try ground turkey.
- Yellow onion: Adds flavor to the beef mixture. You can use white onion if that’s what you have on hand.
- Petite diced tomatoes: Make sure to drain these well to avoid a soggy casserole.
- Worcestershire sauce: This adds depth to the beef flavor. Don’t skip it!
- Jalapenos: These add a bit of heat. If you’re not a fan of spice, you can leave them out.
- Yellow mustard: This is key for that authentic Big Mac flavor.
- Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt round out the seasoning.
- Cheddar cheese: Feel free to add more if you like your casserole extra cheesy.
- Mayonnaise and ketchup: These form the base of the “special sauce.”
- Dill pickles: These are crucial for that Big Mac taste. Don’t forget the pickle juice for the sauce!
- Toppings: Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and extra pickles make this casserole feel just like the real thing.
How To Make Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
Let’s start by preheating your oven to 425°F. While it’s heating up, grab a 9×13 baking dish and give it a light coating of avocado oil.
Next, spread out the tater tots in the baking dish. They’ll need about 30 minutes total to get nice and crispy, so pop them in the oven for 15 minutes to start.
While the tater tots are cooking, let’s prepare the beef mixture. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onions over medium heat. This should take about 5-7 minutes, or until the beef is no longer pink.
Once the beef is cooked, drain any excess fat if needed. Then, add in the diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, jalapenos, yellow mustard, and all the spices. Give it a good mix to combine everything.
By now, your tater tots should be ready for a toss. Take them out, give them a quick stir to ensure even cooking, and put them back in for another 15 minutes.
When the tater tots are done, it’s time to assemble. Spread the beef mixture over the crispy tater tots, then top it all with a layer of cheddar cheese. This goes back in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until everything’s heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
While the casserole is baking, whip up the special sauce. Mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl until well combined. This sauce is what really gives the casserole that Big Mac flavor, so don’t skip it!
Once the casserole is out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes. Then, drizzle the sauce over the top and add your fresh toppings – lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles.
And there you have it! Your Big Mac Casserole is ready to serve. It’s best enjoyed immediately while the tater tots are still crispy and everything is nice and hot.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Freezing
Make Ahead: You can prepare the beef mixture and special sauce a day in advance and store them separately in the fridge. When you’re ready to cook, assemble the casserole with freshly baked tater tots for the best texture.
Store: Leftover Big Mac Casserole can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure to store it in an airtight container. Keep in mind that the tater tots will lose their crispiness over time, and the casserole may become a bit dry when stored.
Reheat: For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave. If you’re reheating a larger amount, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through. Add the fresh toppings (lettuce, tomatoes, onions) after reheating to keep them crisp.
Freeze: This casserole isn’t ideal for freezing due to the tater tot base and fresh toppings.
Note: This casserole tastes best when served immediately after baking. The tater tots are at their crispiest, and all the components are at their juiciest right after cooking.
Recipe Tips
- If you prefer a cheesier casserole, feel free to add an extra cup of cheddar or mix in some American cheese for that classic Big Mac taste.
- For a lighter version, try using ground turkey instead of beef and Greek yogurt in place of some of the mayonnaise in the sauce.
- To prevent the casserole from getting soggy, make sure to drain the tomatoes and beef well before adding them to the dish.
- If you like your Big Mac with extra pickles, add some pickle slices to the beef mixture before baking.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes, ground turkey is a great substitute if you’re looking for a leaner option. Just keep in mind that turkey doesn’t have as much fat as beef, so you might want to add a bit more seasoning to enhance the flavor.
How can I make this casserole spicier?
If you like more heat, you can add extra jalapeños to the beef mixture. You could also mix some hot sauce into the special sauce or sprinkle red pepper flakes over the top before serving.
You might also like some of my other delicious casserole recipes like this Easy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, Ham and Cheese Casserole and Buffalo Chicken Casserole.
This Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole brings the flavors of your favorite fast-food burger right to your dinner table. It’s a fun, easy meal that’s sure to satisfy those burger cravings without the need for a drive-thru run. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for a crowd-pleasing dish for your next potluck, this casserole will be a hit.
Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
This Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole has all the flavors of your favorite fast-food burger with seasoned beef, special sauce, melty cheese, and pickles.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Spray a 9×13 baking dish with oil.
Place the tater tots in the baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes, then toss and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
Add the ground beef and onions to a large skillet. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink and the meat is cooked all the way through. Drain any excess grease.
To the skillet, add the diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, jalapenos, yellow mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix until combined. Cook until heated through.
Once the tater tots are done, remove them from the oven and place the meat mixture over them in the baking dish.
Then sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top.
Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese has melted.
While the casserole is baking, make the sauce by combining everything in a bowl. Stir to blend then set aside.
Remove the casserole from the oven.
Top the casserole with the sauce and the toppings.
Serve and enjoy!
Leftovers can be kept in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. However, this casserole tastes best when served immediately after baking, when the tater tots are at their crispiest.
The nutritional information provided is approximate and should only be used as a general guideline. It is an estimate that will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
