Prepare yourself for a mind-blowing culinary experience that combines the irresistible flavors of buffalo wings, juicy cheeseburgers, and crispy tater tots in one epic dish! This isn't just another casserole - it's a flavor-packed meal that will have your family and friends begging for seconds. Imagine the tangy kick of buffalo sauce, the richness of melted cheddar, and the crunch of golden tater tots all coming together in a single, mouthwatering creation that's guaranteed to become your new favorite comfort food!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 bag tater tots
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it is browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes.
- Once the ground beef is cooked, drain any excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the buffalo sauce, mixing well to ensure the beef is evenly coated. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 2-3 minutes to heat through.
- In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spread the buffalo beef mixture evenly across the bottom.
- Drizzle the ranch dressing over the buffalo beef layer, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese over the ranch dressing layer, distributing it evenly.
- Carefully arrange the tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese, covering the entire surface of the casserole.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots, ensuring they are well covered.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving. This will help the layers set slightly.
- Serve the Buffalo Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole hot, garnished with additional ranch dressing or chopped green onions if desired. Enjoy!
Tips
- Drain the ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure crispy tater tots.
- For extra flavor, use a mix of mild and hot buffalo sauce to control the spice level.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to help the layers set and make serving easier.
- For a crispy top, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes at the end of cooking if the tater tots aren't golden enough.
- Customize by adding diced jalapeños, blue cheese crumbles, or green onions for extra flavor.
- Use a high-quality ranch dressing for the best taste - homemade or premium store-bought works best.
- If you like it extra spicy, serve with additional buffalo sauce on the side for drizzling.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 473kcal
Carbohydrates: 18g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 33g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 63mg
