Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole

Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole brings the classic flavors of the fast food burger to a homemade comfort food meal. This easy recipe layers juicy ground beef, tangy pickles, melty shredded cheese, and creamy Thousand Island dressing, topped with crispy tater tots. It’s an easy dinner recipe for the whole family!

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox (and more recipes sent daily!)

Email Address *

Save

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy to make with simple pantry ingredients.
• Golden, crispy tater tots baked over a cheesy, flavorful beef layer.
• A family favorite for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
• One-pan meal with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients Notes

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole recipe:

• Lean ground beef – swap with turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian-friendly version.
• Yellow onion – red onion works too.
• Thousand Island dressing – or use homemade Big Mac Sauce.
• Chopped dill pickles – sweet pickle relish is a great alternative or use dill pickle slices for added crunch.
• Mayonnaise
• Ketchup
• Yellow mustard
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika – regular paprika works if that’s what you have.
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Mild shredded cheddar cheese – Colby Jack, sharp cheddar, or American cheese slices also work.
• Frozen tater tots – Ore Ida Crispy Tots recommended, but any brand is fine.
• Shredded lettuce – iceberg lettuce is classic, but romaine or spinach work too.
• Sesame seeds – optional, for that sesame seed bun taste.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Big Mac Tatertot Casserole

1. Cook the beef and onions: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the onion until no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess grease.
2. Mix in the sauce: Stir in the Thousand Island dressing, chopped pickles, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3. Layer in the dish: Spread the beef mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top of the beef.
4. Add the tater tots: Arrange a single layer of frozen tater tots on top of the cheese.
5. Bake: Bake uncovered at 425°F for 25–30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
6. Finish and serve: Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes. Top with shredded lettuce, drizzle with extra Thousand Island dressing, and sprinkle sesame seeds before serving.

Storage

• Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake. If baking from cold, add 5–10 extra minutes to the cooking time.
• Store: Cover or keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave, or reheat the entire casserole dish in the oven at 350°F until heated through.
• Freeze: Assemble the unbaked casserole, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking, adding 10–15 minutes to the cook time, (about 40-45 minutes).

More Easy Dinner Recipes

If you loved this Big Mac casserole with tater tots, try these next:

• Tater Tot Casserole
• Big Mac Sliders
• Taco Spaghetti
• Cheeseburger Quesadillas

If you’ve tried this Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it turned out in the comments below.

5 from 1 vote

Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole

Author — Jennifer Fishkind

Serves — 8

Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole bakes all the flavors of the classic burger and side of French fries into one easy, cheesy dinner. Topped with golden, crispy tater tots, it’s a family-friendly comfort food meal.

PrintRatePin Save Saved

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Ingredients

 

• ▢ 2 pounds lean ground beef
• ▢ 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• ▢ 1¼ cups Thousand Island dressing (Divide 1 cup for filling and ¼ cup for topping)
• ▢ ¾ cup chopped dill pickles
• ▢ 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• ▢ 2 tablespoons ketchup
• ▢ 2 teaspoons mustard
• ▢ 2 teaspoons onion powder
• ▢ 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
• ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 2 cups freshly shredded mild cheddar cheese
• ▢ 32 ounce package frozen tater tots (I used the Ore Ida Crispy tots)
• ▢ 1½ cups thinly shredded lettuce (I use the prepackaged lettuce)
• ▢ 2 teaspoons sesame seeds (optional garnish)

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
• In a 4 to 5 quart skillet or saucepan over medium high heat, brown the ground beef and onion until the beef is no longer pink. (This should take about 6 to 8 minutes) Drain any excess oil.
  2 pounds lean ground beef, 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• Add in the 1 cup of thousand island dressing, chopped pickles, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, onion powder, paprika, kosher salt and pepper. Stir until completely combined.
  1¼ cups Thousand Island dressing, ¾ cup chopped dill pickles, 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 2 teaspoons mustard, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
• Spread the meat mixture into the prepared baking dish.
• Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the meat.
  2 cups freshly shredded mild cheddar cheese
• Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese. (To avoid soggy tots, do not over crowd, to allow air to circulate while baking) Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown.
  32 ounce package frozen tater tots
• Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before spreading the shredded lettuce over the top of the tater tot layer.
  1½ cups thinly shredded lettuce
• Drizzle the remaining ¼ cup of thousand island dressing and sprinkle the sesame seeds on top. Serve while hot.
  2 teaspoons sesame seeds

Jenn’s Notes

Storage:

• Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake. When baking from cold, add an extra 5–10 minutes to the cook time.
• Store: Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave or the whole dish in the oven at 350°F until heated through.
• Freeze: Assemble unbaked casserole, cover tightly, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight, then bake as directed, adding 10–15 minutes to the cook time

Tips:

• Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking so the layers hold together when serving.
• If the tots start browning too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil and continue baking.
• Shred your own cheese instead of bagged for the best melt.
• To keep the tater tots from getting soggy, bake them in a single layer without overcrowding. For extra crunch, prebake the tots for 10 minutes before adding to the casserole.

Nutrition Info

Calories: 689kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 1630mg | Potassium: 847mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 672IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 257mg | Iron: 4mg

Tried This Recipe?

Mention @princesspinkygirl Or Tag #Princesspinkygirl