Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole is a cheesy and hearty recipe, which is made with savory ground beef and a creamy Thousand Island dressing. It’s the ultimate comfort food, a fun one-dish meal ready in about an hour.
Pioneer Woman Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole Ingredients
All the classic burger flavors in one easy, crowd-pleasing bake.
- 2 lbs. lean ground beef
- 1 cup Thousand Island dressing
- 3 Tablespoon mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons dried minced onion
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried mustard
- 1 cup hamburger dill pickle slices
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 32 oz frozen tater tots
- To Serve: Shredded lettuce, extra Thousand Island dressing
How To Make Pioneer Woman Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
A step-by-step guide to this fun and delicious dinner mashup.
- Prep Oven and Cook Beef: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Once browned, drain off any excess grease.
- Make the “Special Sauce” Filling: To the cooked beef, add the Thousand Island dressing, mayonnaise, dried minced onion, paprika, and ground mustard. Stir well to combine everything into a creamy mixture.
- Layer the Casserole: Spread the ground beef mixture into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange the dill pickle slices in an even layer over the beef.
- Add Cheese and Tater Tots: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the dill pickle slices. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the top of the cheese.
- Bake and Serve: Bake the casserole for about 45 minutes, or until the tops of the tater tots are golden brown and the filling is bubbly. To serve, top individual portions with a bit of shredded lettuce and an extra drizzle of Thousand Island dressing.
Recipe Tips
For the best, most flavorful Big Mac Casserole.
- How to get a crispy tater tot topping? The key is to arrange the tater tots in a single, even layer and to bake the casserole uncovered. This allows the hot, dry air of the oven to circulate around the tots, making them perfectly golden and crispy.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, this is a fantastic make-ahead meal. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly with foil, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
- Do I have to use Thousand Island dressing? It’s the key to that classic “special sauce” flavor. If you don’t have it, you can make a quick substitute by mixing about 1 cup of mayonnaise with 1/4 cup of ketchup, a few tablespoons of sweet pickle relish, and a dash of vinegar.
- How to prevent a greasy casserole? Draining the ground beef thoroughly after browning is a crucial step. This removes the excess fat and prevents the bottom of the casserole from becoming greasy.
What To Serve With Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
Simple sides to complete the “fast food at home” experience.
This hearty casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it’s fantastic served with:
- A simple side salad with a vinegarette
- Extra dill pickle spears on the side
- A plate of crispy french fries (for the ultimate carb-lover’s dream)
How To Store Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
Keeping your delicious leftovers fresh.
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: For the best texture, reheat individual portions in a 350°F oven or an air fryer for 10-15 minutes until warmed through. This will help to re-crisp the tater tot topping.
Pioneer Woman Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving.
- Calories: 833kcal
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Protein: 46g
- Fat: 53g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I use a different kind of meat?
Yes. Lean ground turkey would be a great, lighter substitute for the ground beef.
Can I add other u0022burgeru0022 toppings?
While the classic toppings are added fresh at the end, you could stir some finely diced white onion into the meat mixture for more flavor.
Do I need to thaw the tater tots?
No, for this recipe you can use the tater tots straight from frozen, which makes assembly quick and easy.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Ham and Noodle Casserole Recipe
- Pioneer Woman French Onion Beef Casserole Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Crockpot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Pioneer Woman Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Description
A fun and easy one-dish meal with all the classic flavors of a Big Mac, featuring a savory ground beef filling, a creamy u0022special sauce,u0022 pickles, and a crispy tater tot and cheese topping.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. In a skillet, brown the ground beef; drain the fat.
- Stir in the Thousand Island dressing, mayo, and all seasonings to create the u0022special sauceu0022 filling.
- Spread the beef mixture in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer the pickle slices over the beef, then sprinkle with the cheddar cheese.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer on top.
- Bake for about 45 minutes, until the tater tots are golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
- Serve hot, topped with fresh shredded lettuce and an extra drizzle of Thousand Island dressing.
Notes
- u003cliu003eDraining the beef well after browning is the key to preventing a greasy casserole.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis casserole can be fully assembled and refrigerated a day in advance, making it perfect for a busy night.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor the crispiest topping, make sure the tater tots are in a single, even layer.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDon’t skip the fresh lettuce topping; it adds the perfect fresh crunch that makes it taste just like the classic burger!u003c/liu003e
