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Home » Recipes » Ground Beef

Big Mac Casserole

Published: Mar 29, 2024 · Modified: Mar 29, 2025 by Debra Clark · 7 Comments

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This Bic Mac Casserole is an easy way to get the classic flavors of your favorite burger in a delicious meal. It's on the table with minimal effort too! The hearty casserole is made with ground beef, tater tots, cheese and burger sauce. It's a family favorite that will have everyone asking for seconds!

Next time be sure to try the Stuffed Pepper Casserole recipe, it's so good!

Big Mac Casserole with serving spoon.
Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe   
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions 
  • Equipment
  • FAQ's
  • Top Tip
  • Deb's tips
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • Related recipes
  • Serve with
  • Big Mac Casserole Recipe

Why you'll love this recipe   

With all the McDonalds flavors you can skip the drive-thru. This is an affordable and quick enough for a weeknight meal. Finished with your favorite burger toppings and creamy big mac sauce, it's a great comfort food dish !

Ingredients to make casserole recipe, with print overlay.

Ingredients

For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

  • olive oil
  • yellow onion
  • ground chuck
  • onion powder, garlic powder
  • salt and black pepper
  • burger sauce - no burger sauce? Substitute Thousand Island Dressing.
  • Dill relish or diced dill pickles
  • cheddar cheese - you can also use colby jack cheese.
  • tater tots
Step-by-step instructions to make a casserole recipe, with print overlay.

Instructions 

This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!

  1. Preheat the oven, prepare baking dish, set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, add the oil and add the diced onion. Cook until the onions are soft.
  3. Next, add the ground beef. Cook until the meat is browned, add the seasonings.
  4. Drain the majority of the fat from the pan.
  5. Add the burger sauce and the dill relish (or diced pickles). Mix to combine.
  6. Then sprinkle in ¼ cup of shredded cheese. Mix until the cheese is melted.
  7. Spoon the ground beef mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
  8. Top with the remaining cheese.
  9. Finish by adding the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
  10. Bake in a preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until the tater tots are golden brown.
  11. Cool for a few minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

  • I love my Caraway products and use this large skillet all the time.
  • you'll need a large casserole dish

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FAQ's

Where can I find burger sauce?

You can purchase burger sauce at your local grocery store in the condiment aisle, or you can make your own homemade burger sauce.

Is Thousand Island Dressing the same as Big Mac Sauce?

No, thousand island is not the exact same as the special sauce but it does taste similar.

Can I use a different type of meat?

Yes, instead of ground beef you could also use ground chicken or ground turkey.

Dish filled with tater tot casserole.

Top Tip

If you don't have time to make the sauce reader Carol says Kraft Sandwich Spread with a touch of ketchup. Enjoy!

Deb's tips

I like to use freshly shredded cheese instead of the pre-shredded stuff because I find that a block of cheese that's been shredded melts better. You can use any type of cheese that melts well, however I recommend that you use a cheese that has some flavor instead of a cheese like mozzarella.

If you want extra crispy tater tots on the top, you can bake them slightly first. However, if you leave the casserole in the oven for the full cooking time you should have tater tots with a crispy tots.

Garnish the casserole with shredded iceberg lettuce, sesame seeds, and chopped dill pickles if desired. Add them to individual servings and not to the top of the casserole. That way if you

To make a keto big mac casserole leave the tater tots off the top, you could add cauliflower rice instead or just leave them out all together.

If you are using lean ground beef, you may not have any excess grease to drain. If you are beef is sticking, add a small amount of oil to skillet to prevent it from sticking. Ground turkey or chicken is an option, but hey... this is a Big Mac Casserole!

If you are using relish instead of pickles, make sure that you use dill pickle relish instead of sweet pickle relish.

Variations

  • If you don't care for tater tots, you can use any type of potato that roasts well in an oven. You could also try using hash browns or frozen French fries.
  • For a spicier version, add ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the ground beef mixture.
  • You can also switch up the cheese or use a combination of cheeses. Some good combinations include cheddar and monterey jack, or colby jack and american cheese.
  • I like to use yellow onions in casseroles like these, but you could also use a sweet onion instead.

Storage

Refrigerate - Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezer - You can freeze this casserole for up to 3 months in an airtight container. To defrost, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating - You can either reheat individual portions in the microwave, or you can reheat the entire casserole in a 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes.

Baking dish filled with tater tot casserole with serving spoon.

Related recipes

  • The next time you crave a burger but need an easy dinner recipe, pop these Frozen Hamburgers in the Oven and get ready to enjoy a meal the whole family will love!
  • Do you love melty cheese? Then you will want to try this Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole recipe.
  • The Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is a recipe you'll want to put into your weekly rotation.
  • The Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole is an easy-to-make family favorite!
  • Are you in the market for a new easy, comforting, delicious recipe? This French Onion Soup Salisbury Steak is a classic meal staple on our table!

Serve with

  • I love to serve this big mac tater tot casserole with a fresh green salad like this Outback Wedge Salad.
  • If you love pairing a hearty casserole like this big mac casserole recipe with a healthy yet tasty side dish, try these Steamed Brussel Sprouts.
  • My family loves when I end a filling and hearty meal like one with a light sweet treat like this Butterscotch Pudding Dessert.

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Guys, this recipe is dynamite! It's just like your favorite takeout. It will be a hit with your entire family. We loved it! Having said that, I want to hear what you have to say. Please leave a comment below with your two cents!

Big Mac Casserole in baking dish with spoon.
4.60 from 5 votes

Big Mac Casserole Recipe

This tastes amazing! It's an easy-to-make family-friendly meal!
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Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time40 minutes mins
Total Time55 minutes mins
Course: Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 719kcal
Author: Deb Clark

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 casserole dish

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup chopped yellow onion
  • 2 pounds ground chuck
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup burger sauce
  • ¼ cup Dill relish If you want more tang, use ¼ cup of diced pickles.
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 32 ounce bag of tater tots

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spritz baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, set aside.
  • In a large skillet, over medium heat pour the oil and add the onion. Cook until the onions are translucent.
  • Add the ground beef. Break the meat into smaller pieces Add the seasonings and cook until the ground beef is browned and there is no more pink.
  • Drain the majority of fat from the pan.
  • Add the burger sauce and the dill relish (or diced pickles). Mix to combine.
  • Next sprinkle in ¼ cup of shredded cheese. Mix until the cheese is melted.
  • Pour the ground beef mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
  • Top with the remaining cheese.
  • Finish by adding the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
  • Bake in a preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until the tater tots are golden brown.
  • Cool for a few minutes. Serve and enjoy!

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 719kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 1334mg | Potassium: 671mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 347IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 248mg | Iron: 3mg

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    About Debra Clark

    Hey I'm Deb Clark, and I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over! We live in the sleepy little town of Scappoose, Oregon. And I admit it... I love food! Join me in this foodie journey (even if you've never cooked before!) I will help you learn to be confident in the kitchen! Want to learn more? Let's stay connected, you can email me at debra@bowl-me-over.com and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    Comments

      4.60 from 5 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lois says

      February 17, 2024 at 10:23 am

      5 stars
      This is a wonderful easy casserole that you can make and everyone in the family will love it. Give it a try.

      Reply
    2. Lacey says

      August 18, 2023 at 4:09 pm

      3 stars
      The recipe is great! However in the instructions there is nothing saying when to add in the seasoning! Just finished cooking everything and saw the seasonings were still sitting outside of my food! I forgot to add it and the instructions never say anything either!!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        August 19, 2023 at 4:54 pm

        Well now I just feel silly Lacey, thanks for the heads up! I'm glad you enjoyed the Big Mac Casserole, that is one yummy meal!

        Reply
    3. Lynn says

      January 30, 2023 at 7:28 am

      What burger sauce do you use?

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        January 30, 2023 at 2:50 pm

        I use smash-burger sauce Lynn - it's the best! You can find it here - https://bowl-me-over.com/burger-sauce/ if you dont' have time to make it, you can substitute with Thousand Island salad dressing.

        Reply
      • Carol McDowell says

        March 27, 2024 at 9:55 am

        If you have it, Kraft Sandwich Spread with a touch of ketchup added works well, too.

        Reply
        • Debra Clark says

          March 27, 2024 at 5:28 pm

          Fantastic tip, thanks Carol!

          Reply
    Blogger Deb Clark smiling at camera holding a plate filled with a casserole.
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