Cheesy Garlic Smashburger Casserole–juicy burgers, crispy tater tots, bacon, pickles, garlic and melty cheddar cheese combined into an easy weeknight casserole that tastes just like your favorite smashburger.
Cheesy Garlic Smashburger Casserole
This was such a fun dinner! We had leftover hamburgers from grilling at the cabin and instead of eating them again I turned them into this casserole. The buttery garlic and onions give the meat so much flavor, along with the pickle juice, ketchup, mustard and mayo. The tater tots get brown and crispy while everything bakes. And then the cheddar on touch adds the final touch. We loved serving ours with diced tomatoes, pickles and ketchup. It’s an easy way to use leftovers without anyone feeling like they’re eating leftovers! Enjoy!
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Butter–or olive oil
- Onion–or shallot
- Garlic–or garlic paste
- Cooked hamburger patties–or cooked ground beef
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Cooked bacon–or turkey bacon
- Pickle juice
- Mayonnaise
- Ketchup
- Yellow mustard
- Frozen tater tots
- Shredded cheddar cheese–or Colby Jack, Monterey Jack or American cheese
Steps
Heat oven to 425° F. Heat a pan over medium high heat. Add in the butter and let it melt. Add in the onion and saute for about 5 minutes, until softened. Add in the garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
Cut the burgers into ¼ inch pieces. Toss them into the pan along with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, bacon, pickle juice, mayo, ketchup and mustard. Stir.
Add the mixture into a 8×8 inch baking dish. Spread the tots over the top.
Bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle the cheese on top and bake for 5 more minutes.
Top with diced dill pickles and diced tomatoes, if desired and serve.
Notes/Tips
- Serve with baked beans, corn on the cob, potato salad or coleslaw.
- This is the perfect recipe for using leftover grilled hamburgers. Simply chop them into bite-sized pieces before mixing them with the sauce. If you don’t have leftover burgers, brown about 1 pound of ground beef, drain the grease, and continue with the recipe.
- Add diced dill pickles after baking if you want even more classic burger flavor.
- I used an 8×8 inch metal baking pan. You can double this recipe in a 9×13 inch pan.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for the crispiest tater tots. The microwave works too, but the tots will soften.
- Other recipes you can make with ketchup are Instant Pot Boarding House Meatloaf Bites and Slow Cooker Salisbury Meatballs.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
Cheesy Garlic Smashburger Casserole
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Juicy burgers, crispy tater tots, bacon, pickles, garlic and melty cheddar cheese combined into an easy weeknight casserole that tastes just like your favorite smashburger.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3–4 cooked hamburger patties (I used leftover burgers we had from a separate meal)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 4 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/4 cup pickle juice
- 1 Tbsp mayo
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- 2 Tbsp yellow mustard
- 12 oz tater tots
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425° F.
- Heat a pan over medium high heat. Add in the butter and let it melt. Add in the onion and saute for about 5 minutes, until softened. Add in the garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
- Cut the burgers into ¼ inch pieces. Toss them into the pan along with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, bacon, pickle juice, mayo, ketchup and mustard. Stir.
- Add the mixture into a 8×8 inch baking dish. Spread the tots over the top.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Sprinkle the cheese on top and bake for 5 more minutes.
- Top with diced dill pickles and diced tomatoes, if desired and serve.
- Category: Beef
- Method: Baking
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*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
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