An easy, comforting weeknight dinner, this Slow Cooker Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole has all the classic flavors but with minimal effort. Made with ground beef, tater tots, and American cheese, it's then swirled with Big Mac special sauce and finished with your favorite burger toppings to make for a hearty, savory meal.
This ground beef and tater tot casserole is similar to my slow cooker beef stroganoff recipe in the sense that it keeps hectic nights simple. You only need 20 minutes of prep time for it to come together, and with layers of seasoned beef and gooey cheese, this casserole is pure comfort food.
But the best part? Once the Big Mac casserole is made, everyone can sprinkle on their own favorite toppings to make it feel like they ordered a custom burger. With all the flavor but minimal cost, this hamburger recipe is also a great way to stretch your budget, kind of like easy hamburger soup.
Ingredients
- For the base of the casserole:
- Ground beef: A leaner cut of meat means a little less work in draining grease.
- Seasonings: You'll need basics from the cupboard like salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Cheese: Both American cheese and cheddar cheese are used for the best flavor. Twice the cheese means extra gooey bites, just in my baked mac and cheese.
- Sauces: Yellow mustard and Worcestershire sauce give a bold flavor combo.
- Tater tots: Tater tots right from the freezer will give the best texture.
- Dill pickles: Mixed into the slow cooker casserole itself as well as used as extra toppings.
- Sesame seeds: These add a bit of crunch and really help for a full Big Mac "look".
- Toppings: For the classic Bic Mac experience, you'll want extra pickles and shredded lettuce.
- Classic Big Mac Sauce
- Mayonnaise: Whatever brand you have on hand will work. However, Miracle Whip will give a different taste.
- French dressing: Many people swirl ketchup in here, but the classic Bic Mac sauce has a salad dressing base.
- Relish: Dill relish can be used, but sweet pickle relish gives the most authentic taste.
- Seasonings: You'll need yellow mustard and onion powder for the sauce to come together.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
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- Step 1: Brown the beef in a large skillet and break it apart as it cooks. Add the diced onion and cook until softened. Once browned, season with salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder.
- Spread half the beef mixture into the bottom of a greased slow cooker and sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese and half of the American cheese over the top. Evenly spread the frozen tater tots and repeat the layers one more time. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours.
- Step 3: Twenty minutes before serving, sprinkle in the diced pickles and re-cover the slow cooker. Finish cooking and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Step 4: Whisk together the Big Mac sauce and drizzle it over the slow cooker ground beef casserole
Step 6: Twenty minutes before serving, sprinkle in the diced pickles and re-cover the slow cooker. Finish cooking and let it sit for a few minutes.
Step 7: Whisk together the Big Mac sauce and drizzle it over the slow cooker ground beef casserole.
Step 8: Sprinkle on the sesame seeds and serve the casserole topped with shredded lettuce, more pickles, and a generous serving of sauce.
Substitutions
- Ground turkey or chicken can replace the beef, just like in this Indonesian beef and quinoa bowl.
- To change the flavor slightly, Colby Jack cheese can be used.
- If you don't have tater tots, opt for frozen hashbrowns.
Variations
Bacon Big Mac Casserole: Add an extra layer of cooked, crumbled bacon between the layers. Make sure to use crispy bacon.
Cheeseburger Big Mac: Increase the cheese in the recipe by an additional cup.
Spicy: Top the casserole with sliced jalapenos or work some hot sauce into the special sauce.
Big Mac Sliders: In place of a bowl, serve the ground beef casserole on toasted slider buns for a fun dinner or easy appetizer, kind of like pizza sliders.
Fully Loaded: Add diced tomatoes and extra lettuce when you serve it.
Equipment
You don't need much for the Big Mac casserole, only a 6-quart slow cooker for the meal and a skillet for prepping the ground beef mixture.
Storage
Leftover casserole will stay fresh when stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you know you'll be storing it, do not top it with lettuce, as it won't hold its crunchy texture. You can also freeze the casserole for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before you need it.
Reheat the mixture in the microwave in individual servings and top it with your favorites.
Top tip
Add the lettuce as a topping right as you portion the bowls, and only add it to individual servings. This way, it stays crisp, and it makes storing leftovers easier.
FAQ
Yes, you can reheat the casserole in the oven. To do this, add a splash of water to the casserole so that it doesn't dry out. Cover and reheat it in an oven-safe dish over low heat (300F) until heated through.
You can freeze slow cooker beef casserole in individual portions or as a whole. For individual portions, place them in small, freezer-safe bags after the casserole has fully cooled. To freeze this as a meal prep dinner, portion the casserole (without toppings) into an aluminum foil baking dish. Cover the top and freeze it for up to 2 months.
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