Of course! That name describes a legendary and incredibly satisfying dish. It’s not one single thing, but rather a category of decadent comfort food.
Here’s a breakdown of what “Bacon Cheeseburger Tater” can mean and how you can create it.
The Core Concept:
It’s the glorious fusion of a classic bacon cheeseburger with the humble, beloved potato (tater), transforming it into a hearty, all-in-one meal.
—
Most Common Interpretations:
1. Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole (or Hotdish)
This is the most famous version. It’s a layered bake that is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
· The “Tater” Layer: A solid base of frozen tater tots.
· The “Bacon Cheeseburger” Layer: Ground beef (often mixed with diced onions), cooked with bacon pieces, and mixed with cream of mushroom soup, cheese, and other burger condiments.
· The Topping: More cheese and crumbled bacon.
Why it’s popular: Easy to make, feeds a family, and hits all the nostalgic comfort food notes.
2. Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tots
Think of them as ultra-gourmet, deconstructed burger tots. Perfect for appetizers or game day.
· The “Tater” Base: Crispy baked or fried tater tots served on a platter.
· The “Bacon Cheeseburger” Toppings: Topped with cooked seasoned ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, diced onions, pickles, and a drizzle of special sauce (ketchup, mayo, mustard, relish).
3. Stuffed Bacon Cheeseburger Potato Skins
A slightly more elegant take using potato skins as the vessel.
· The “Tater” Vessel: Baked potato halves, scooped out, with the skins fried or baked until crispy.
· The “Bacon Cheeseburger” Filling: Filled with a mixture of cooked ground beef, cheese, bacon, and onions, then baked again until melty.
4. The Ultimate Loaded Baked Potato
A massive baked potato taken to its logical, meat-lover’s conclusion.
· The “Tater” Base: One large, fluffy baked russet potato.
· The “Bacon Cheeseburger” Load-Up: Split open and loaded with cooked ground beef, cheddar cheese, bacon, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of chives.
—
How to Make the Classic Tater Tot Casserole Version:
Here’s a simple recipe to get you started.
Ingredients:
· 1 lb ground beef (80/20 is best for flavor)
· 6-8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
· 1 small onion, diced
· 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
· 2 tbsp ketchup
· 1 tbsp yellow mustard
· 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
· 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
· Salt and pepper to taste
· Optional: pickles, diced tomatoes for garnish
Instructions:
1. Preheat & Cook: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and onion over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain excess grease.
2. Combine: Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, ketchup, mustard, half of the crumbled bacon, and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese. Mix until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Assemble: Spread the meat mixture evenly into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the meat mixture.
4. Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
5. Add Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese and the rest of the bacon over the top. Bake for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
6. Serve: Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with diced pickles or tomatoes if desired.
Enjoy your incredibly delicious and indulgent Bacon Cheeseburger Tater creation