Q1: What is the absolute secret to a super crispy Tater Tot casserole topping?

The number one secret is to make sure you are arranging the Tater Tots in a single, even layer and that your oven is hot enough . The 400°F temperature in this recipe is perfect for allowing the Tater Tots to become beautifully golden brown and crispy on the outside while the filling underneath gets hot and bubbly.

Q2: Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead meal! You can fully assemble the entire unbaked casserole, cover it tightly, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours . When you are ready to bake, just remove the cover and pop it in the oven (you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time, as it will be starting from cold).

Q3: Can I freeze this Tater Tot Casserole?

Yes, this is a fantastic freezer meal! You can freeze it either baked or unbaked . Let the casserole cool completely, then wrap the dish very well in a double layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then bake (or reheat) it.

Q4: What other toppings are good on a cheeseburger casserole?

Think of your favorite burger! A drizzle of ketchup and mustard , some shredded iceberg lettuce , or even a few dollops of sour cream would all be delicious additions to the fresh toppings.

Q5: Can I use a different kind of cheese instead of Velveeta?

You can, but the texture of the filling will be different. Velveeta is a process cheese that contains emulsifiers, which is the secret that allows it to melt into a perfectly smooth and creamy, never-grainy, cheese sauce. If you substitute it, it is a good idea to use another excellent melting cheese, like American cheese from the deli counter .

The Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

A hearty casserole that combines the flavors of a bacon cheeseburger with a classic Tater Tot bake. The recipe features a savory base of cooked ground beef and onions in a creamy, cheesy sauce made from Velveeta and tomato sauce. This mixture is layered in a baking dish, sprinkled with cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon, and then covered with a full layer of frozen Tater Tots. The casserole is baked until bubbly and the topping is golden, then finished with fresh toppings of chopped tomatoes, pickles, and raw onion to mimic the classic burger experience.

Author: Evelyn

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
1 large onion, chopped and divided
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 tablespoon ground mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 package (8 ounces) Velveeta, cubed
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
12 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1 package (32 ounces) frozen Tater Tots
1 cup grape tomatoes, chopped
1/3 cup sliced dill pickles

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a 13×9-inch or 3.5-quart baking dish.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and 1 cup of the chopped onion for 6-8 minutes, crumbling the meat, until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is tender. Drain off the excess grease.
Stir in the tomato sauce, cubed Velveeta, ground mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Continue to cook and stir for 4-6 minutes, until the Velveeta is completely melted.
Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and the crumbled bacon over the meat mixture.
Top with an even layer of the frozen Tater Tots.
Bake, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the Tater Tots are golden brown.
Remove the casserole from the oven and top with the chopped tomatoes, sliced pickles, and the remaining chopped raw onion before serving.

Notes

This is a quintessential American comfort food casserole, perfect for a family dinner or potluck.
The fresh toppings (tomatoes, pickles, onion) are added at the very end, after baking, to provide a cool, crunchy contrast to the hot, creamy casserole.
Using Velveeta in the sauce is a key step that creates an exceptionally smooth and creamy texture that doesn’t break when baked.

Find it online: https://cookupjoy.com/cheeseburger-tater-tot-casserole/