Hearty Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole (No Canned Soup!)
This Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole is a game-changer for busy cooks! Made entirely from scratch without a single can of soup, it’s an incredibly easy, creamy, and comforting meal that’s perfect for a bustling weeknight dinner, a special weekend treat, or a delicious, crowd-pleasing potluck dish. The best part? It only demands about 20 minutes of active preparation time before your slow cooker takes over!
As the seasons change and calendars fill up, the search for simple, satisfying meals becomes a top priority. For many, August signals the end of summer freedom and the return of school, ushering in a flurry of activities and busy evenings. When life gets a little (or a lot) crazy, my kitchen philosophy leans heavily towards two things: relying on the trusty slow cooker and indulging in hearty, comforting food. And when these two elements combine, magic happens.
That’s where this incredible Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole comes in! It’s the ultimate answer to those hectic days when you crave a delicious, home-cooked meal but simply don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. Imagine all the beloved flavors of a juicy bacon cheeseburger, transformed into a creamy, savory casserole, topped with crispy golden tater tots, and cooked to perfection in your crock pot. Pure comfort, pure convenience, and absolutely no canned soup in sight!
Why You Will Absolutely LOVE This Homemade Casserole
This isn’t just another slow cooker recipe; it’s a culinary hug that simplifies your life while delivering maximum flavor. Here’s why this Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole will quickly become a cherished recipe in your family’s rotation:
- Effortless & Time-Saving Preparation: With just about 20 minutes of hands-on time, this recipe frees you from kitchen duty, allowing you to focus on other tasks or simply relax. The slow cooker handles the long, gentle cooking, ensuring a tender, flavorful meal with minimal supervision. It’s the ideal solution for busy weeknights when you need dinner ready without a fuss.
- Made From Scratch, No Canned Soups: One of the standout features of this casserole is that it’s prepared entirely from scratch. You won’t find any mystery ingredients from canned soups here! This means a healthier meal with fresher, richer flavors and the peace of mind knowing exactly what goes into your family’s dinner. The homemade creamy sauce is surprisingly easy to whip up and tastes infinitely better than its canned counterparts.
- Incredibly Versatile and Adaptable: This recipe is wonderfully flexible, catering to various tastes and needs. While we champion the homemade sauce, we understand preferences differ – you can substitute a can of your favorite cream soup if you’re really pressed for time. Plus, if you don’t own a slow cooker or simply prefer, you can easily bake it in the oven like a traditional tater tot casserole. Need to feed a smaller crowd? The recipe can be scaled down easily. It’s truly a casserole that adapts to you!
- Satisfying & Crowd-Pleasing: This dish hits all the right notes for comfort food. The savory ground beef and bacon, rich cheesy sauce, and crispy potato topping combine to create a meal that delights all ages. It’s a guaranteed hit, whether you’re serving picky eaters or a table full of hungry adults.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: While fantastic for a quick family dinner, its hearty nature and impressive flavor also make it an excellent choice for potlucks, gatherings, or even game day celebrations. Serve it as is for a complete meal, or complement it with a simple tossed green salad, some steamed fresh vegetables, or a side of warm, crusty bread to soak up every last drop of that delicious sauce. YUM!
Essential Ingredients for Your Cheeseburger Casserole
Crafting this delicious Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole starts with a selection of readily available ingredients, creating a symphony of flavors reminiscent of your favorite burger. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Lean Ground Beef: We recommend lean ground beef to minimize excess grease, keeping your casserole rich and flavorful without being overly oily.
- Bacon: Diced bacon adds that unmistakable smoky, salty kick that elevates this from a simple tater tot casserole to a true “bacon cheeseburger” experience.
- Onion & Garlic: These aromatic staples form the foundational flavor base, adding depth and warmth to the meat mixture.
- All-Purpose Flour: This is our secret weapon for creating a smooth, luscious, lump-free gravy from scratch, ensuring a wonderfully creamy texture without relying on canned cream soups.
- Milk: The liquid base for our rich, homemade gravy, helping to create that velvety consistency.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A splash of Worcestershire sauce introduces a complex umami depth, perfectly enhancing the beefy flavors.
- Hot Sauce (Optional): Just a dash adds a subtle kick and complements the “cheeseburger” profile. Feel free to adjust or omit based on your spice preference.
- Cheddar Cheese: Three cups of shredded cheddar provide ultimate cheesiness, melting into the sauce and creating a golden, bubbly topping.
- Frozen Mixed Vegetables: A convenient way to add color, texture, and a boost of nutrients. Choose your favorite blend, whether it’s peas and carrots, corn, or a medley.
- Sour Cream: Stirred in at the end, sour cream adds a delightful tang and an extra layer of creaminess to the sauce, balancing the richness.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning to taste and bringing out all the wonderful flavors.
- Frozen Tater Tots: The star topping! These crispy potato puffs provide a satisfying textural contrast to the creamy filling and a fun, family-friendly appeal.
How to Make Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole: Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps to create a hearty, homemade meal that will impress everyone at your table:
- In a large skillet, brown the lean ground beef, diced bacon, chopped onion, and minced garlic together over medium heat. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the bacon is crispy, then drain any excess fat thoroughly.
- Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the browned meat mixture in the skillet. Stir well, ensuring the flour coats all the ingredients. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly, to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Gradually stir in the milk, Worcestershire sauce, and optional hot sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently, and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the sauce has visibly thickened to a rich gravy consistency.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in 3 cups of cheddar cheese, the frozen mixed vegetables, and the sour cream until everything is well combined and the cheese begins to melt into the creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Generously spray the inside of your slow cooker insert with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place half of the frozen tater tots in an even layer at the bottom of the crock pot.
- Carefully pour the creamy meat gravy mixture over the tater tots in the slow cooker, spreading it evenly.
- Arrange the remaining frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the top of the meat mixture.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the LOW setting for 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Slow cooker temperatures can vary, so check for doneness after 3 hours. The casserole is ready when the filling is hot and bubbly, and the tater tots are heated through.
- For an extra cheesy topping, sprinkle with additional cheddar cheese (if desired) during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Re-cover and allow the cheese to melt perfectly. Serve hot and enjoy!
Expert Tips for the Perfect Casserole
Achieving a truly outstanding Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole is easy with a few simple tricks. These tips will help ensure your dish is as delicious and fuss-free as possible:
- The Secret to a Lump-Free Gravy: This is a game-changer! The trick to making a perfectly smooth and creamy gravy, just like my mom and grandma always taught me, is to sprinkle the flour directly over the browned hamburger and bacon mixture. Stir it in thoroughly and cook for a minute before adding any liquids. This allows the flour to absorb the fat and toast slightly, preventing lumps when you add the milk. It’s a method I use for everything from biscuits and gravy to this casserole, and it works every single time!
- Proper Browning for Max Flavor: Don’t rush the browning step! Ensure you break up the ground beef well with a wooden spoon or a ground meat masher while it cooks. This creates a fine, crumbly texture that integrates beautifully into the casserole. Browning the meat and bacon until they are nicely caramelized before adding other ingredients will significantly deepen the overall flavor profile of your dish.
- Always Use Non-Stick Spray: This might seem like a small detail, but it makes a huge difference. Generously spraying the slow cooker insert with non-stick spray is crucial. This will prevent the cheesy, creamy mixture from sticking to the bottom and sides, making both serving and cleanup infinitely easier. Skip this step at your peril – nobody likes scrubbing stuck-on casserole!
- Even Tater Tot Distribution: For the best results, try to arrange the tater tots in single, even layers, both at the bottom and on top. This ensures they cook evenly and, for the top layer, can achieve a slightly crispier texture (though in a slow cooker, they tend to stay softer than oven-baked).
- Personalize Your Flavors: Feel free to customize! You can add a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of onion powder to the meat mixture for even more “cheeseburger” essence. A dollop of ketchup or mustard stirred into the sauce can also enhance that classic burger taste.
- Monitor Your Slow Cooker: Slow cookers can vary in temperature and cooking times. While 3-3.5 hours on LOW is a good guideline, it’s always wise to check your casserole towards the end of the cooking time to ensure the filling is hot and bubbly throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, this casserole freezes beautifully! To freeze, allow the casserole to cool completely to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight, freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the casserole overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through and bubbly, or use the microwave for individual portions.
Absolutely! This slow cooker recipe is ideal for making ahead. You can prepare the entire casserole and set it to cook later that day. Alternatively, you can make the hamburger gravy mixture (steps 1-4) in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. When ready to cook, slightly rewarm the mixture, assemble the casserole in the slow cooker with fresh tater tots, and cook according to the directions. This allows for a fresh-cooked casserole with minimal last-minute effort.
Yes, you can certainly use fresh vegetables! Carrots, celery, green beans, or corn are all excellent choices. If using fresh, make sure to chop any hard vegetables (like carrots or celery) into very small, bite-sized pieces so that they cook thoroughly and become tender within the casserole’s cooking time. You might even lightly sauté harder vegetables with the onion and garlic for a few minutes to give them a head start.
Yes, if you prefer oven baking, simply prepare the meat gravy mixture as directed (steps 1-4). Spread the mixture evenly into a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Top with a single layer of frozen tater tots. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes, or until the filling is hot and bubbly and the tater tots are golden and crispy to your liking. You can add extra cheese on top for the last 10 minutes of baking.
Absolutely! While ground beef is traditional for a “cheeseburger” flavor, you can easily substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter version. Just be aware that leaner meats may require a little extra oil when browning and might not yield as much rendered fat to mix with the flour for the gravy. The overall cook time and method should remain largely the same.
Beyond the extra melted cheddar, you can get creative with toppings to enhance the cheeseburger experience! Consider sprinkling with chopped green onions or chives after cooking, a handful of crispy fried onions, or even a few diced pickles for that classic burger tang. Some like a drizzle of “special sauce” (a mix of mayo, ketchup, and relish) over individual servings.
More Delicious Slow Cooker Comfort Food Recipes:
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast
- Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatball Soup
- Mashed Potatoes in the Slow Cooker
- Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
- Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Sloppy Joe’s
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for all my latest updates and comforting recipes!
Slow Cooker 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
- 1 (12-16 oz) bag frozen mixed vegetables
- ¼ cup sour cream
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 (2 pound) 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.
Notes
Half the recipe: If you would like to downsize this recipe just cut the ingredient amounts in half except for the tater tots.
To make in the oven: If you would like to make this recipe in the oven, spread meat gravy in a 9×13 casserole dish and top with tater tots. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until the tater tots are to your liking.
Tips for the gravy: To make a lump-free gravy, the trick is to mix the flour with the browned hamburger. It was a trick I learned a very long time ago from watching my mom and grandma cook. I use this method to make biscuits and gravy too and it works every single time.
Freezer instructions: To freeze, cool completely and store in an air-tight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
See this recipe on Julie’s Eats and Treats, where I’m a contributor!