Description
Smoky BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole brings comfort food dreams to life with layered flavors that remind you of summer cookouts. Your family will devour this hearty one-pan meal packed with ground beef, crispy bacon, and melted cheese that feels just like a backyard barbecue.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 slices bacon
- 4 cups frozen tater tots
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ onion
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Crumble 8 bacon slices and cook them in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the grease.
- Brown 1 lb ground beef in the same skillet with bacon grease over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add ½ chopped onion to the beef and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Stir 1 cup BBQ sauce, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder into the beef mixture. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Whisk 1 cup sour cream and ½ cup milk in a large mixing bowl until smooth.
- Fold the seasoned beef and half of the crumbled bacon into the sour cream mixture.
- Spread the beef mixture evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Arrange 4 cups frozen tater tots in a single layer over the beef mixture.
- Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar and 1 cup mozzarella cheese across the top of the tater tots.
- Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until cheese melts and tater tots turn golden brown.
- Garnish with remaining bacon crumbles before serving hot.
Notes
- Bacon matters a lot in this recipe, so choose thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and crisp texture.
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy casserole and keep the dish’s consistency perfect.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking so the cheese sets and makes slicing easier.
- For a lower-carb version, swap tater tots with cauliflower florets or sliced zucchini to maintain the casserole’s hearty feel.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-38 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg