Attention, all you food fanatics out there! Get ready to experience the ultimate culinary explosion with this Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bomb Bake. This dish is the stuff of legends, a mind-blowing fusion of your favorite comfort food classics that will have your taste buds doing the happy dance. Brace yourselves, because this recipe is about to turn your kitchen into a flavor paradise like you’ve never seen before.
Why You’ll Love This Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bomb Bake
Imagine a world where the best parts of a cheeseburger, macaroni and cheese, and tater tots all come together in one epic, flavor-packed dish. This Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bomb Bake is the stuff that food dreams are made of. With its irresistible layers of cheesy goodness, crispy bacon, and perfectly golden tater tots, this dish is a true culinary masterpiece that will leave you craving more with every bite. Get ready to experience the ultimate comfort food fusion that’s sure to become a new family favorite.
Ingredients
Prepare to be amazed, because this recipe calls for some truly epic ingredients. You’ll need ground beef, bacon, tater tots, macaroni, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, milk, and a few key seasonings to bring it all together. The best part? You can easily customize this dish to your liking by swapping in your favorite cheeses or adding a little extra spice.
- 1 lb – Ground beef
- 12 oz – Bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 32 oz – Frozen tater tots
- 8 oz – Elbow macaroni, cooked
- 2 cups – Shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 oz – Cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup – Milk
- 1 tsp – Garlic powder
- 1 tsp – Onion powder
- 1/2 tsp – Salt
- 1/4 tsp – Black pepper
Ingredient Substitutions
- Cheese: Use pepper jack or Monterey Jack cheese for a spicier twist.
- Protein: Swap out the ground beef for ground turkey for a leaner option.
How to Make Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bomb Bake
Get ready to unleash your inner culinary rebel, because this recipe is about to take your taste buds on an epic adventure. First, you’ll need to tackle the prep work by cooking the bacon and ground beef, then whipping up a creamy, cheesy mac and cheese sauce. Next, it’s time to layer all the components together in a baking dish, topping it off with a generous helping of crispy tater tots. Finally, it’s time to let the oven work its magic, transforming this dish into a bubbling, golden-brown masterpiece that will have your family and friends begging for seconds.
Step 1: Prep Work
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. In the same skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
In a medium saucepan, combine the cooked macaroni, cream cheese, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until it’s fully incorporated.
Step 3: Assembly
Spread the cooked ground beef in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with the creamy mac and cheese, then sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and the crumbled bacon over the top. Arrange the tater tots in an even layer over the cheese and bacon.
Step 4: Baking
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let the dish cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Flavor Boost: Add a drizzle of your favorite barbecue sauce or a sprinkle of diced jalapeños for a spicy kick.
- Topping Ideas: Try adding caramelized onions or sautéed mushrooms to take this dish to the next level.
- Leftovers: This Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bomb Bake is just as delicious the next day, reheated to perfection.
- Customization: Swap out the cheddar cheese for your favorite variety, like pepper jack or Monterey Jack, to give this dish your own unique twist.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and a side salad for a touch of freshness.
Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or in the microwave in 30-second intervals.
Make-Ahead: This dish can be assembled ahead of time and baked just before serving.
Nutrition Information
Brace yourselves, because this Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bomb Bake is not for the faint of heart. With its indulgent blend of cheese, bacon, and carb-loaded tater tots, this dish is certainly not the healthiest option on the menu. However, if you’re in the mood for a truly epic, flavor-packed comfort food experience, then this recipe is definitely worth the caloric splurge. Just remember to enjoy it in moderation and balance it out with plenty of fresh veggies and a side salad.
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the dish
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Protein: 30 g
- Carbs: 50 g
- Fat: 40 g
- Sodium: 1,200 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! This Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bomb Bake can be assembled ahead of time and baked just before serving. Simply prepare the recipe up to the point of assembling the layers in the baking dish, then cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, feel free to experiment with different cheese varieties to give this dish your own unique twist. Try using pepper jack or Monterey Jack for a spicier flavor, or mix in some mozzarella for an extra gooey texture.
How can I make this dish more or less spicy?
To amp up the heat, add a few diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes. For a milder version, skip the spicy ingredients and stick to the classic flavors.
Can I use a different protein, like turkey or chicken?
Absolutely! You can easily swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or shredded chicken to make this dish a little lighter. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure the protein is cooked through.
How do I reheat leftovers?
Reheating this Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bomb Bake is a breeze. You can pop it back in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or zap it in the microwave in 30-second intervals until piping hot.
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Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bomb Bake
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Burger Kingdom
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A delicious fusion of mac and cheese, bacon, and cheeseburgers baked into crispy tater tots.
Ingredients
2 pounds tater tots
1 pound ground beef
1 cup cooked bacon, chopped
2 cups macaroni and cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup diced onions
1/2 cup pickles, chopped
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a skillet, cook the ground beef until browned and season with salt and pepper.
3. In a large bowl, combine the cooked beef, bacon, macaroni and cheese, onions, pickles, ketchup, and mustard.
4. Spread the tater tots in a greased baking dish.
5. Pour the beef and cheese mixture over the tater tots and mix gently.
6. Top with shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
For extra flavor, add your favorite burger toppings like lettuce or tomatoes.
Feel free to use store-bought macaroni and cheese for convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: bacon, mac and cheese, tater tots, cheeseburger