Cheeseburger Casserole

One of my favorite healthy casserole recipes, this cheeseburger casserole is everything I crave in a comforting, family-friendly dinner. I like to think of this recipe as a combination of this tater tot casserole and this hamburger helper. Plus, everything comes together in a single skillet, making prep and cleanup fast and easy.

Recipe Highlights

Easy one-skillet meal: Everything combines and cooks in a single oven-safe skillet, keeping prep simple and cleanup to a minimum. With just 10 minutes of prep time, it’s a great option for busy weeknights.

Made with familiar ingredients: Ground beef, cheddar cheese, tater tots, and pantry staples come together to create a satisfying meal without a long grocery list. Similar to this ground beef and potatoes recipe and this slow cooker cheeseburger soup, this casserole has all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger, so even my kids clean their plates.

Great for meal prep: A great make-ahead recipe, this casserole can be assembled in advance and stored in the fridge until it’s time to bake. Leftovers also reheat well, and individual portions can be frozen for easy meals later on.

Ingredients to make cheeseburger casserole with ground beef and frozen tater tots.

Main Ingredients And Substitutions

Like many of my favorite ground beef recipes, this cheeseburger casserole comes together with simple, easy-to-find items. Here are my notes about the main ingredients:

Avocado oil: This is used to sauté the ground beef and onion. Olive oil also works.
Ground beef: I use lean ground beef for a classic cheeseburger flavor without making this casserole greasy. Feel free to substitute the beef with ground venison, ground turkey, or even ground chicken.
Yellow onion: I prefer yellow onion for a slightly sweet taste, but white onion works, too.
Tomato paste: This adds rich tomato flavor and depth to the filling.
Spices: I use a simple mixture of garlic powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to give the beef a delicious savory flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.
All-purpose flour: I use this to help thicken the beef mixture. A 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend can be substituted, if needed.
Beef broth: This adds moisture and savory flavor to the filling. I always use low-sodium broth to reign in the salt content.
Canned diced tomatoes: These add extra flavor, moisture, and a little texture to the beef mixture.
Shredded cheddar cheese: I prefer sharp cheddar cheese for a bolder flavor, but mild cheddar also tastes great. Sprinkled over the casserole, this creates a melty, savory topping, replicating the flavor of a classic cheeseburger. I always shred cheese from a block for the best melt.
Frozen tater tots: These form the crispy, golden topping that makes this casserole so satisfying. Frozen crispy crowns also work, or use gluten-free tater tots if needed.
Optional garnishes: Chopped fresh parsley adds a pop of color, while chopped pickles give the casserole even more classic cheeseburger flavor.