Description
A fun, layered casserole that brings all the flavors of a Big Mac—juicy beef, tangy pickles, special sauce, melty cheese, and crispy tater tots—topped with fresh shredded lettuce.
Ingredients
- 2 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 ¼ cups Thousand Island dressing, divided
- ¾ cup chopped dill pickles
- 3 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- 2 tsp mustard
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups mild cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- 32 oz frozen tater tots
- 1 ½ cups thinly shredded lettuce
- 2 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 °F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and chopped onion until no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Add 1 cup of Thousand Island dressing, chopped pickles, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the beef. Stir until fully combined.
- Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the beef layer.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese, ensuring not to overcrowd them.
- Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes or until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before topping with shredded lettuce.
- Drizzle the remaining ¼ cup Thousand Island dressing over the lettuce, sprinkle sesame seeds if using, and serve hot.
Notes
- For extra crispy tots, prebake them for 10 minutes before layering.
- Swap dill pickles with sweet relish for a milder flavor.
- Experiment with different cheeses like sharp cheddar or Colby Jack.
- Add veggies like diced bell peppers or shredded carrots to the beef layer.
- Use lean ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter or vegetarian version.
- Reheat in the oven to retain the crispy texture of the tots.
- Add fresh shredded lettuce before serving when reheating leftovers.
