McDonald’s Big Mac fan or not, this dinner casserole explodes with flavor! This recipe is a must-try, and you won’t believe how delicious it tastes.
This post is all about how to make the BEST Big Mac Casserole.
This might be one of the most flavorful dinner recipes I’ve ever made. Layered and seasoned with ground meat, onions, pickles, cheese, tater tots, and of course, that famous Big Mac sauce, this casserole is a win-win!
Once all ingredients are added to a 13 x 9 dish, the baking time is about 40 minutes. Be sure to serve each piece with shredded iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, and more of that secret sauce, aka thousand island dressing.
For those with kiddos, you’ll be happy to hear this recipe is family-friendly and sure to be loved by all ages (even the picky eaters). If you or they have never tried a McDonald’s Big Mac hamburger, I can still (almost 100%) guarantee this easy meal will be a hit!
Follow the simple step-by-step instructions below, and you’ll serve a delicious dinner in no time. P.S. Don’t be surprised if everyone asks for seconds.
Big Mac Casserole
What Is A Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole?
This casserole recipe’s ingredients copycat the famous Big Mac hamburger from McDonald’s. I first saw this recipe on Instagram and immediately wanted to try it.
I tweaked and omitted specific components to make this meal healthier (as in less salty). And by the way, it’s still insanely delicious!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 Pounds of Lean Ground Beef ( I used 90% lean, 10% fat)
- Thousand Island Dressing, 1 Cup (I bought a 16-ounce bottle size of Ken’s because each serving piece is also drizzled with dressing sauce.)
- Mayonnaise, 1/4 Cup
- Yellow Onion, 1 Cup, diced.
- Dill Pickles, 1 Cup, diced.
- 1 Garlic Clove, diced or minced.
- Mild Cheddar Cheese, 2 Cups, shredded.
- Frozen Tater Tots, 24 ounces
- Ground Black Pepper, 1 to 1/2 teaspoon (I added the ground pepper while cooking the meat.)
Additional Topping Ingredients:
- Shredded Iceberg Lettuce
- Tomatoes, diced.
- Thousand Island Dressing (more for drizzling on top of each serving piece)
Equipment Needed:
- Pan (for cooking the ground meat)
- Good Knife (for dicing)
- Oven
Big Mac Casserole Recipe Changes I Made:
Butter: In some Big Mac Casserole recipes, adding a dab of butter was called for when cooking the ground meat. I did not find that this was necessary.
Salt: Some recipes call for one teaspoon of salt. I definitely do not think salt is needed. The pickles, cheese, and tater tots add plenty of salty seasonings.
Onion Powder, 1 Tablespoon – I think the cup of diced yellow onions adds enough onion flavor, so I omitted this component.
Garlic Powder, 1 Tablespoon – I added a fresh garlic clove instead. Fresh always tastes best.
How To Make The Best Big Mac Casserole, Step-By-Step
I topped the tater tots with a little more cheese before adding the dish to the oven, but it was unnecessary. I also completed the baked dish with fresh chives, which is optional, especially since Big Macs don’t include chives.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease the 13 x 9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the meat in a large pan over medium-high heat. Crumble the beef into small pieces and add the ground black pepper at this time. Once it’s finished cooking, drain any excess liquids from the pan.
Step 3: Add the thousand island dressing, mayonnaise, garlic, onions, and pickles to the pan of cooked ground meat.
Step 4: Mix the ingredients thoroughly and transfer the meat mixture to the greased 13 x 9 baking dish. Spread out the meat evenly in the dish.
Step 5: Top the meat with two cups of shredded cheese.
Step 6: Next, layer the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
Step 7: Bake at 400 degrees F for 40-45 minutes. The tater tots should look golden brown when finished.
Step 8: Remove the baking dish from the oven and serve. Add fresh shredded iceberg lettuce and diced tomatoes, and drizzle more thousand island dressing on top of each serving of Big Mac Casserole.
Serving Tip:
Some Big Mac Casserole recipes call for topping the whole baked dish with lettuce and dressing. Instead, I recommend topping each serving with fresh toppings so the heat won’t wilt the lettuce as the plate sits. The fresh, cold lettuce adds the perfect contrast to each warm serving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- The whole family (even picky littles) will LOVE it.
- EASY
- SIMPLE Ingredients
FAQs For This Hamburger Casserole
How Should I Store This Big Mac Casserole?
You can refrigerate the casserole for up to four days. Be sure to store it in an airtight container.
Can You Freeze This Easy Meal?
Yes! You can freeze this meal as long as it’s stored in an airtight container.
Is Big Mac Casserole Healthy?
While this Big Mac Casserole is healthier than other versions, it should still be eaten in moderation.
Is This Hamburger Casserole Keto?
This version is not keto because it calls for tater tots. Omit the potato component, and this recipe will become keto-friendly.
Is Thousand Island Dressing The Same As Big Mac Sauce?
It’s the closest thing to McDonald’s Big Mac sauce and tastes almost the same.
How Many Calories Is In Big Mac Casserole?
There are about 650 calories in one serving of Big Mac Casserole.
Are The Tater Tots The Only Potato Ingredient In This Dinner Recipe?
Yes!
Is Thousand Island Dressing A Copycat For McDonald’s Big Mac Secret Sauce?
No. Thousand Island dressing tastes similar to Big Mac’s sauce, but the ingredients are different. McDonald’s sauce contains French dressing, so it has a tangier flavor.
Can I Reheat Big Mac Casserole?
Absolutely! You can reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat the entire casserole in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes.
Can I Make This Family-Friendly Meal Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole and store it in the refrigerator but don’t bake it until the day of serving so it tastes warm and fresh.
What Can I Serve With This Big Mac Casserole?
Serving a salad with this casserole is the perfect side!
Can You Use Other Meats Beside Beef?
You could use ground turkey or shredded chicken as a substitute for ground beef.
What Size Casserole Dish Should I Use?
For this recipe, I recommend using a 13 x 9 baking dish.
Big Mac Casserole
Equipment
- 1 13 x 9 Baking Dish
- Pan (for cooking the ground beef)
- Spatula
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Good Knife (for dicing)
- Non-Stick Cooking Spray
- Oven
Ingredients
Ingredients You'll Need For A Big Mac Casserole:
- 2 lbs Lean Ground Beef ( I used 90% lean, 10% fat)
- 1 cup Thousand Island Dressing (I bought a 16-ounce bottle size of Ken’s because each serving piece is also drizzled with this sauce.)
- 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 cup Yellow Onion, diced.
- 1 cup Dill Pickles, diced.
- 1 Garlic Clove, diced or minced.
- 2 cups Mild Cheddar Cheese, shredded.
- 24 ounces Frozen Tater Tots
- 1/2 or 1 tsp Ground Black Pepper (I added the ground pepper while cooking the meat, but I did not add salt because I knew the pickles and other ingredients would add enough salty flavors.)
Topping Ingredients:
- Shredded Iceberg Lettuce
- Tomatoes, diced.
- Thousand Island Dressing (more for drizzling on top of each serving piece)
Instructions
How To Make A Big Mac Casserole, Step-By-Step
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease the 13 x 9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Cook the meat in a large pan over medium-high heat. Crumble the meat into small pieces and add the ground black pepper at this time. Once it’s finished cooking, drain any excess liquids from the pan.
- Add the thousand island dressing, mayonnaise, garlic, onions, and pickles to the pan of cooked ground meat.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly and transfer the meat mixture to the greased 13 x 9 baking dish. Spread out the meat evenly in the dish.
- Top the meat with two cups of shredded cheese.
- Next, layer the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
- Bake at 400 degrees F for 40-45 minutes. The tater tots should look golden brown when finished.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven and serve. Add fresh shredded iceberg lettuce and diced tomatoes, and drizzle more thousand island dressing on top of each serving of Big Mac Casserole.
Nutrition
Final Thoughts On Big Mac Casserole
Finding an easy meal for dinner isn’t always simple, but this Big Mac Casserole recipe is quick and incredibly delicious! It’s also (almost) a guarantee that everyone in the family will love it!
Share this recipe with family and friends if you find it insanely yummy. Follow career girl meets… on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for more home decor ideas, recipes, and gift guides.
Leave a Reply