Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole

Name: Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 lbs ground beef; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp garlic powder; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; 1 cup white onion, diced; 1 cup dill pickles, chopped; 1 cup Thousand Island dressing; 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 32 oz frozen tater tots; 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce, for garnish; 2 tbsp Thousand Island dressing, for garnish

This Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole combines seasoned ground beef, pickles, onions, and Thousand Island dressing in a creamy, cheesy bake topped with crispy tater tots. It's a simple one-dish meal that captures all the savory flavors of a classic burger.

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

🏷️

🏷️Comfort food

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TikTok

Total

55 min

Servings

6

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$25–$41

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

2 lbs ground beef
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
1 cup white onion, diced
1 cup dill pickles, chopped
1 cup Thousand Island dressing
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
32 oz frozen tater tots
1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce, for garnishoptional
2 tbsp Thousand Island dressing, for garnishoptional

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Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef.
3
Season the beef with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned.
4
Once the meat is cooked, stir in the diced onion and chopped pickles.
5
Add 1 cup of Thousand Island dressing and the mayonnaise to the skillet.
6
Mix until everything is well combined.
7
Spread the meat mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
8
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the meat mixture.
9
Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese.
10
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
11
Remove from the oven and top with shredded lettuce and a drizzle of additional Thousand Island dressing before serving.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the ground beef thoroughly and drain excess fat before mixing with other ingredients to prevent a greasy casserole.
Chop pickles into uniform, small pieces so they distribute evenly and don't create wet pockets in the filling.
Arrange tater tots in a single, snug layer on top for maximum crisping; overlapping prevents even browning.
Allow the casserole to rest 5 minutes after baking before serving so the filling sets slightly and holds together better when plated.

Substitutions

Thousand Island dressing → ranch dressing or homemade special sauce (mayo + ketchup + pickle relish)
Cheddar cheese → American cheese or a blend of cheddar and Swiss for deeper flavor
Dill pickles → bread-and-butter pickles for a sweeter pickle note
Ground beef → ground turkey (use 2.5 lbs to compensate for leaner meat)

Storage & make-ahead

Cover and refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days. Reheat covered at 350°F for 15–20 minutes until heated through.

Equipment

9x13 baking dish · large skillet

Common Questions

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the casserole completely, cover with foil, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10–15 minutes to the bake time if baking from cold.