Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole

Name: Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots, divided; 1 lb ground beef; 2 tbsp dill pickle relish; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 3/4 cup Thousand Island dressing; 2 tbsp ketchup; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tbsp minced dried onion; 4 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 4 slices American cheese

This Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole layers crispy frozen tater tots with seasoned ground beef, Thousand Island dressing, and melted cheese for a burger-flavored bake that's ready in under an hour.

🍴Copycat

🌍American 🏷️Casserole 🏷️Tater tot casserole 🏷️Big mac 🏷️Ground beef Cheesy

🏷️

🏷️Comfort food

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TikTok

Total

1h

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$25–$41

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots, divided
1 lb ground beef
2 tbsp dill pickle relish
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup Thousand Island dressing
2 tbsp ketchup
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp minced dried onion
4 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese
4 slices American cheese

13 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange a single layer of tater tots covering the bottom of an 8x8 inch baking dish.
2
Bake the tater tots until they begin to get crispy, about 15-20 minutes.
3
While the tots are baking, brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain any excess grease. Transfer the cooked beef to a large mixing bowl.
4
To the ground beef, add the dill pickle relish, mayonnaise, Thousand Island dressing, and ketchup.
5
Season the mixture with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and minced dried onions. Stir everything together until well combined.
6
Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
7
Once the tater tots are par-baked, remove them from the oven. Spread the beef mixture evenly over the top.
8
Place the American cheese slices on top of the beef layer.
9
Top with the remaining tater tots, creating a final layer.
10
Return the casserole to the oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Reserve some tater tots for the top layer to ensure maximum crispiness; don't stir them into the beef mixture.
Brown the ground beef thoroughly and drain excess fat before adding dressing and seasonings to prevent a greasy casserole.
Bake at 400°F for even cooking and golden, crispy tater tots throughout.
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking before serving to allow the cheese to set slightly.

Substitutions

Thousand Island dressing → Ranch dressing mixed with ketchup and relish (similar tangy-savory result)
Ground beef → Ground turkey or ground chicken (leaner option; season generously)
Dill pickle relish → Sweet pickle relish (for a sweeter Big Mac flavor)
Mayonnaise → Greek yogurt (lighter substitute; use slightly less)

Storage & make-ahead

Store covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Reheat covered at 350°F for 15–20 minutes or microwave individual portions until warmed through.

Common Questions

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Add 5–10 minutes to the bake time if cooking from cold.

Should I thaw the tater tots first?

No. Use frozen tater tots directly from the bag for the crispiest texture. Thawing will make them soggy.

What can I use instead of Thousand Island dressing?

Mix equal parts ketchup and mayonnaise with pickle relish for a similar flavor, or use ranch dressing with extra relish.

How do I know when it's done baking?

The casserole is ready when the tater tots are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted, typically 30–35 minutes at 400°F.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes. Double all ingredients and use a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Bake time may increase by 5–10 minutes; check for golden tater tots and bubbly cheese.