Sweet Potato Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

This Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole recipe was inspired by my husband's favorite cheat day meal: bacon cheeseburgers with sweet potato fries.  It's so easy and has all the flavors we both love.

I cook the bacon, brown the ground beef and onion in the bacon fat, stir in mustard, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and seasonings for that classic cheeseburger flavor, and layer everything with lots of cheese and sweet potato tater tots. Then I bake it until bubbly, and the crispy tater tots are golden brown.

I serve it straight from the pan with steamed green beans or a cup of red pepper gouda soup. Sometimes, I pile it on a bun for the full cheeseburger experience!  It's cozy comfort food that cooks and serves from the same pan, so cleanup is a breeze. 

🍠Ingredients

See recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full list and exact ingredient amounts.

• Bacon. Thick-cut bacon works best for hearty texture. Keep the drippings, you'll use them to brown the beef. 
• Ground beef. I use 80/20 for the best flavor. You can also use lean ground beef or ground turkey. 
• Dijon mustard. Adds tang and helps create the cheeseburger flavor. Use any kind of mustard you would put on a cheeseburger.  
• Pepper Jack cheese. Melts beautifully and adds mild heat. Shred it yourself if possible for smoother melting.
• Sweet potato tater tots. Keep them frozen until right before baking, so they stay crisp. 

🧀Variations and Substitutions

• Meat. Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. The lean meat will stay plenty moist and flavorful cooked in the bacon fat and simmered in sauce. 
• Tater tots. You can also use regular tater tots.
• Cheese. Use any kind of cheese you like such as cheddar cheese, American cheese, or Swiss cheese. 
• Worcestershire sauce. If you don't have any, try one of these substitutes for Worcestershire sauce. 

🥘How to Make Bacon Cheeseburger Sweet Potato Tater Tot Casserole

Step 1. Place bacon in a cold 10-inch cast iron or oven-safe skillet. Turn the heat to medium and fry until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate, keep 2 tablespoons bacon drippings in the pan. 

Step 2. Cook beef and onion in pan over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease. 

Step 3. Add 2 sliced green onions, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (optional), and salt and pepper. Simmer 5-10 minutes, until thickened.

Step 4. Place ½ of the bacon over the ground beef. Add the cheese, then the sweet potato tater tots in an even layer. Bake 30 minutes in a preheated oven at 400 degrees. Sprinkle more cheese on top of the casserole, bake 15-20 more minutes. Top with the remaining bacon and green onions and serve. 

✅Expert Tips

• Use frozen tots. Thawed tater tots will turn soft instead of crispy. 
• Simmer the sauce until thick. A thick sauce helps hold the casserole together. 
• Cast iron is ideal, but any oven-safe, large skillet works.
• Shred your own cheese for better melting and browning.
• Adjust the spice level. For milder flavor, use Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese and omit the cayenne pepper. 

🥗Serving Suggestions

• Pair with a spinach arugula salad or crispy apple kale slaw
• Delicious with roasted green beans or steamed carrots
• Serve alongside dinner rolls or sweet cornbread
• For something sweet, serve with sliced fruit or fresh fruit salad 

❓FAQs