Bacon Cheeseburger Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole
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A delicious twist on a classic casserole! This easy Bacon Cheeseburger Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole is loaded with hamburger, bacon, vegetables in a creamy sauce and topped with Tater Tots and cheese. A comfort food made easy!
When the weeknights get busy, my crock pot always come to the rescue. It’s so easy to throw ingredients together and then let it do all of the work for me. This bacon cheeseburger crock pot tater tot casserole is a prime example. Cheesy, creamy beef loaded with tater tots, all cooked together in the crock pot.
Tater tot casserole is such a comforting dish too. It’s extra delicious on a cold evening, but I’ll eat it all year long! If you’re looking for recipes that make a load of servings, you’ll love slow cooker cheeseburger casserole. You can save all of the leftovers and have more than enough servings for the next night’s dinner. Or, easily serve a large group of people with this simple dish.
Then, let the crock pot take care of dinner the other nights with my crock pot spaghetti or crock pot beef stroganoff recipes.
Why You’ll Love Bacon Cheeseburger Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole
- If you need more recipes for meal prep, then add this crock pot tater tot casserole to your list!
- This crock pot dinner is a set and forget recipe. Place everything in the slow cooker and then go about your day!
- This recipe uses no canned soup, making the taste extra fresh and rich. Seriously, so much better than using canned soup!
Ingredients for Bacon Cheeseburger Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole
- Lean ground beef – I recommend using 93/7 beef so that this casserole doesn’t get too greasy. You’ll still want to drain off any fat that cooks out of the beef.
- Frozen tater tots – Grab a bag of frozen tater tots from the freezer section of your local grocery store. You can also the little hashbrown bites too
- Chopped bacon strips – Use thick cut bacon and dice the strips into small little chunks.
- Diced onion – The more mild flavor of white onion or yellow onion are best for this recipe.
- Minced garlic – A dash of freshly minced garlic add lovely flavor to bacon cheeseburger tater tot casserole.
- Frozen mixed vegetables – You can also use a can of mixed veggies, but they will likely cook more quickly and could become mushy.
- Cheddar cheese – Shred your own cheddar cheese for extra melty goodness!
- Milk – Whole milk will produce the most creamy results, but you can use any other type of milk that you want.
- All purpose flour – All purpose flour acts as a thickener for all of the filling ingredients to make it the perfect texture.
- Worcestershire sauce – Worcestershire really takes this cheesy casserole to the next level, so don’t leave it out!
- Sour cream – The secret ingredient to making the gravy in the beef mixture extra creamy and delicious.
- Hot sauce – A tiny splash of hot sauce gives a good tang and kick to the cheeseburger beef mixture.
- Salt and pepper – Simply season with salt and pepper to elevate the flavor of this dish.
Helpful Tools
How to Make Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
Brown ground beef, diced bacon, diced onion and minced garlic in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until there is no pink left in the beef.
Next, sprinkle the all purpose flour over the browned ground beef and stir well. Then add the milk, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce to the pan and mix until thoroughly combined.
Cook for 2-3 minutes until the mixture has thickened. Remove it from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar, frozen mixed veggies and sour cream.
Spray your crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Then, arrange tater tots in a single layer on the bottom of the crock pot.
Pour the meat mixture over the tater tots and then place the remaining tots on top of the casserole.
Cover and cook on low for 3 to 3 and a half hours. When there are 10 minutes left for the casserole to cook, sprinkle extra cheddar on the top and cook until it has melted.
Serve immediately!
What to Serve with Bacon Cheeseburger Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole
You can eat this slow cooker cheeseburger casserole all on its own, but I never turn down an opportunity to make a good side dish. Bacon wrapped green beans pair deliciously with tater tot casserole, as well as air fryer zucchini fries.
Make a fluffy side of dinner rolls or a buttery side of cheesy garlic bread. A crunchy cold salad or broccoli salad would also go great with crock pot tater tot casserole. Don’t forget the grand dinner finale of s’mores bars for dessert!
How to Store Leftover Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
FRIDGE: Transfer leftover casserole to airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
FREEZER: This casserole freezes really well! Place leftovers into an airtight container, divide into individual servings if you want. Freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Can I make bacon cheeseburger tater tot casserole in the oven?
If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can still make this recipe in the oven! Follow all of the instructions and do everything the same, just use a 9×13 pan. Bake in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes, until bubbly.
You can also freeze the casserole this way. Assemble the casserole in a pan and just stick it in the freezer, don’t bake it. When you’re ready for a cheesy bacon casserole dinner, just pop it into the oven from frozen and add 10-15 minutes onto the cook time.
Can I use canned soup in the beef mixture instead of making gravy?
If you need this recipe to be even extra quick, you’re more than welcome to use canned soup. Cream of mushroom and cream of chicken would both work great. Just skip the all purpose flour, milk, and sour cream.
Once you add the soup, mix everything well. If it looks a little dry, add in some sour cream and that should help!
Pro Tips for the Best Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole
- Serve your slow cooker cheeseburger casserole with ketchup for extra yummy results!
- Dice up some green onions and add them to the top of the casserole when you sprinkle more cheese on it.
- Add extra flavor by using seasoned frozen tater tots. Yum!
This slow cooker bacon cheeseburger tater tot casserole is sure to come in handy on a busy evening! I can’t wait to hear what you think of it!
More Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Love
- Warm up on a chilly winter evening with this Easy Crockpot Chili recipe!
- Crock Pot Beef Stew is a hearty meal. Make it whenever you need something really filling and are craving stew.
- Love chicken pot pie? Did you know you can make it in the crock pot? Yep, this Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie is insanely easy and so good!
- Save oven space around the holidays by making Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Crock Pot Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 10 strips bacon diced
- 1 small onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ⅓ cup all purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- dash of hot sauce optional
- 3 cups cheddar cheese plus a little extra for topping if desired
- 12-16 ounces bag frozen mixed vegetables
- ¼ cup sour cream
- salt and pepper to taste
- 32 ounces bag frozen tater tots
Instructions
- In a large skillet brown ground beef, bacon, onion and garlic over medium heat until beef is no longer pink. Sprinkle the flour over the ground beef and stir well to combine. Stir in the milk, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar, frozen vegetables and sour cream.
- Spray the crock pot with non-stick spray. Place some tater tots in the bottom of the crock pot. Pour meat gravy over tater tots. Arrange remaining tater tots on top. Cover and cook on LOW for 3-3 1/2 hours. In the last 10 minutes of cooking sprinkle with extra cheddar if desired. Cover and finish cooking.
Sharon Marie says
Oh I just loved this Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole in the crock pot !!! I cut it in half and used a 2 quart crock pot. It was so nice not to have to use the canned soups with all the extra salt they contain. AND it was even better the next day. Thank you so much for this recipe :):)
I also have tried the Hamburger Wild Rice Casserole in the crock pot. And again it turned out GREAT !!!
Julie Evink says
Awesome to hear Sharon!
Keith says
The recipe left the top center tator tots very mushy. I was not happy with this. Probably could be solved by cooking in the oven instead but I personally don’t think this should be cooked in the crock pot due to this.
Michelle Sperr says
I haven’t had that complaint at our house yet! Sorry that you didn’t care for the texture on the tater tots when cooking this in the crock pot!
Linda says
I’m planning on trying this recipe later in the week. Can I freeze the leftovers for another tome?
Julie says
I haven’t tried freezing this one, I don’t know that the tater tots will hold up well being frozen after they’ve been cooked.
Mary Hanson says
Made this for dinner tonite ~~~it turned out great.!! I baked it instead of doing it in the crockpot. I cannot understand how the one gal said the meat, etc was “undercooked:”. My question is did she follow the actually cooking instructions after she mixed it all together.??? Also, what “grade”” of ground meat did she use ?? Leaner grade of ground meat would do away with any greasy-ness ?? I also “precooked” the bacon a little beforehand. I will be making this again sometime !!
Julie says
Thanks Mary! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks for sharing!
Michele says
Seriously disappointed. The tater tots on the top are so undercooked! This is a disaster, and a huge waste of food. I have been left scrambling to take the layers apart and into separate pans in the oven to salvage what I can and feed my family.
The bacon has to be cooked separately, as it can not possibly be cooked/crisp properly with the hamburger. It would be like eating chunks of fat. The should not be done in a crockpot.
Julie says
I’m really sorry this didn’t work out for you!
Valerie says
I want to use up some left over ground beef and bacon that I have already cooked… What do you suggest adding so I don’t lose the “beef gravy” you mentioned? Is it less savory? Planned on making this tonight!
Julie says
You can follow the recipe with flour, Worcestershire and sour cream. Otherwise if you would like to substitute in your favorite cream soup just omit the flour, milk, Worcestershire, and sour cream. If you are making the full amount add in 2 cans.
Chichi says
So we don’t drain the meat??
Julie says
If you want to drain the grease you can, but you don’t need to as it helps to create the meat gravy.
Kate says
Gross. You can’t taste any cheese at all – it is lost in all that sauce. The bacon should be fried up before hand… the way it is you have soggy undercooked pieces of bacon in a bland sauce that is the color of vomit. Highly do not recommend.
Julie says
In Step 1 it says to fry the bacon with the hamburger so there shouldn’t have been soggy under-cooked pieces of bacon. As for the sauce, I’m sorry it wasn’t to your liking. You’ll have to try a different recipe next time.
Kate says
Yes you fry up the bacon with the meat … so you end up with all this undercooked bacon. All of the grease from the meat and the bacon overpowers any seasonings and the cheese. It isnt sauce – it is undercooked meat in a bowl of grease. Obviously you are new to writing recipes. I suggest you find a new hobby.
Anna says
You are rude. Maybe you should research what gravy is and how it’s made homemade. It’s literally pan drippings FROM YOUR MEAT mixed with flour to make the roux. She also said you could substitute the gravy mixture for your favorite cream of soup, therefore you would need to drain the meat since you aren’t adding the flour to soak it up. It’s not rocket science. And as for the bacon not being crispy to your liking, you can literally cook it a little longer and it’ll be crispy. Tweak recipes to your liking. Just because she does hers this way doesn’t mean you have to do yours the exact same way. I mean you should know what you like. If you can’t cook just say that. 🙃
Kare says
Anna , I agree that this lady should just admit she cant cook. I know what gravy is – a whole crock pot of under cooked ground beef and un cooked bacon in meat juice is not delicious and not gravy.
Julie says
Thanks Anna, I appreciate the comment!
Kate says
Julie thats great that you appreciate annas comment that you should just admit you cant cook! If you want some tips I am happy to help you out!
Julie says
Hi Kate – I think Anna was referring to your cooking. I’m aware you are not a fan of this recipe, I apologize that it didn’t work out for you.
Shelbie says
If I wanted to cook it on high instead, would that be possible?
Julie says
Cooking on high might burn the tater tots on the bottom, I would recommend cooking on low.
Christina says
Is there a way to half this recipe there is only two of us??
Julie says
Yep just cut all the ingredients in half and you’ll be good to go!
Mary says
Looks yummy, can’t wait to try it. I think someone answered my question but just in case, have you ever made it without the veggies? My son is super picky and won’t eat them. Thanks!
Julie says
I haven’t tried it without the veggies but I think it would be fine! Otherwise replace it with a veggie he will eat, someone else made it with just corn and it turned out great!
Michele says
Don’t make this recipe. It’s not going to be well received.
Melisa says
My bacon was soggy when I served this, was I supposed to crisp the bacon before mixing in the ground beef?
Julie says
The bacon should crisp up while it’s cooking with the ground beef. If that didn’t work for you, then yes crisp it ahead of time and add it in.
Zane Blane says
Made this today without the veggies..in the crock pot now..even though this is a crockpot meal, it does require prep before it is one..I suggest dicing your onions and making the meat sauce ahead and refrigerate..then dump and go.
Julie says
Hope you enjoy it!
Jane says
Can you make the meat gravy ahead of time, then put into the crock pot the next day with the tots?
Julie Evink says
Yup I think that would work great!
Naomi says
It came out so good! This is the second time that I made it. My daughter is very picky but this is her ultimate favorite. Very good recipe and I have no complaints.
Michelle Sperr says
Awesome Naomi! I’m so glad to hear that this is your daughters favorite!!
Linda Matlock says
Getting ready to make this but can’t tell which size crockpot you’re using. Is this a 4-qt, 6-qt or larger?
Julie says
This was in a 6-quart.