I’m not ashamed to admit that McDonald’s is my favorite guilty pleasure. And this Big Mac casserole is an absolute game-changer!
It’s full of all the good stuff you know and love, including beef, onions, pickles, cheese, lettuce, and Thousand Island dressing.
But what really makes it stand out is the crispy tater tot topping. It adds the perfect crunch and texture contrast to the creamy filling.
Skip the drive-thru and make this casserole tonight!
Why You’ll Love This Big Mac Casserole
Nostalgic Flavor: Indulge in the nostalgic flavors of a classic Big Mac in a comforting casserole form.
True Crowd-Pleaser: This casserole is an easy and foolproof way to satisfy a crowd. Everyone will love it!
Easy Meal Prep: Prepare the casserole in advance and pop it in the oven when you need it.
Budget-Friendly: Recreate the fast-food favorite at home for a fraction of the cost, without sacrificing flavor.
Ingredients
- Lean Ground Beef: The star of the dish! You can’t have a Big Mac without it.
- Veggies: Yellow onion and garlic build a flavorful base when sautéed.
- Olive Oil: Just a splash is all you need.
- Seasonings: I throw in salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder for classic Big Mac flavor.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: The ooey, gooey, melty goodness brings it all together.
- Bread and Butter Pickles: To give a sweet and tangy accent to every bite.
- Thousand Island Dressing: The iconic secret sauce!
- Frozen Tater Tots: They crisp up golden brown as the casserole bakes.
- Shredded Lettuce: It adds the fresh crunch you crave, just like in the original burger.
- Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle them on top for the final McD’s touch.
How to Make Big Mac Casserole
You won’t believe how easy this casserole is to make.
1. Cook the beef mixture. In a skillet, cook the onions until softened. Add the garlic, then ground beef seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook until browned.
2. Transfer to a baking dish. Move the beef mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Mix in the Thousand Island dressing, diced pickles, and shredded cheese.
3. Add the tater tots. Arrange the tater tots in a single layer on top of the beef mixture. Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
4. Bake the casserole. Bake uncovered at 400°F for 25-30 minutes until the tater tots are crispy and golden brown.
5. Add the toppings. Remove the casserole from the oven and top with shredded lettuce, the remaining diced pickles, a drizzle of Thousand Island dressing, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
6. Serve hot. Enjoy your Big Mac casserole!
Tips For the Best Big Mac Casserole
Follow these tricks for the very best dish.
- Go lean. Lean ground beef (96/4) prevents the casserole from becoming overly greasy.
- Pick your potatoes. You can use various types of potatoes such as French fries, cubes, or even fresh potatoes.
- Pickle prep perfection. Chop the pickles into small pieces instead of slicing them so you get some in every bite.
- Get a step ahead. You can brown the beef mixture up to 2 days ahead of time. Then assemble with the tots and bake when ready.
- Make it extra crispy. After baking, broil the casserole for a few minutes to get the tots extra crispy and golden brown.
- Drain carefully. Drain excess grease after browning the beef, but leave a couple of tablespoons for flavor.
- Have fun! Customize your casserole with add-ins like bacon, diced red onions, or your favorite burger toppings. Or, make it low-carb by using it as a salad topper instead of adding potatoes.
How to Store
Here’s how to store leftover casserole to enjoy it again.
To Store: Refrigerate in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.
To Freeze: Freeze in an air-tight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To Reheat: Reheat portions in the microwave, covered, for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway. Or, bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
Big Mac Casserole
6
servings15
minutes30
minutes541
kcalIf you’re a McDonald’s fan, you’ll adore this Big Mac casserole! It’s loaded with beef, pickles, onions, cheese, lettuce, and the signature dressing you love!
Ingredients
1 lb lean ground beef (96/4)
1/2 cup diced yellow onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup bread and butter pickles, diced small
1/3 cup Thousand Island dressing
16 ounces frozen tater tots
2 cups shredded lettuce
Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes.
- Transfer the beef mixture to a 9×13 baking dish. Mix in 1/3 cup Thousand Island dressing, 1/3 cup diced pickles, and 1/2 of the shredded cheese.
- Arrange the tater tots in a single layer on top of the beef. Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the tater tots are crispy and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and top with shredded lettuce, remaining diced pickles, a drizzle of Thousand Island dressing, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
- Serve hot and enjoy your Big Mac Casserole!
This was delicious and much better than eating out! It made plenty of leftovers to freeze for 2. The bread and butter pickles were spot on with the thousand island dressing. I’ll be making this again!