Can I put this dish in the freezer?

Yes. This can be prepared to be a freezer meal. You can place the casserole in an airtight container, or you layer the casserole dish with aluminum foil once the meal has been made, you can put it in the freezer and place it in freezer to set up.

Can I use anything else aside from the tater tots?

I’m sure you could take the approach the same way you would a shepherd's pie and use mashed potatoes. I haven’t tried this method, but I am sure it would be a good alternative.

Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole - Brown Sugar Food Blog

Description

Make this easy Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole for dinner tonight! This Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole will “wow” your family!

Ingredients

Units Scale

4 1/2 tbsp. butter
1/4 c. flour
2 c. milk
4 c. sharp cheddar cheese, divided
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 lb. ground beef
1 onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1/2 tbsp. salt
1/2 tbsp. pepper
2 tsp. onion powder
1/8 c. Worcestershire Sauce
1/4 c. Ketchup
1/3 c. dill pickles, diced
2 lb. tater tots (slightly unthawed)
1/3 c. diced tomatoes
chives, garnish

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees.
In a large skillet, heat two tablespoons of olive oil on medium heat and add the chopped onion and green bell pepper. Allow the onion and bell pepper to cook for 3-5 minutes until they become translucent.
In the same pot, add ground beef. Mix the beef into the onion and pepper while breaking up the ground beef. Allow the beef to cook for 10-15 minutes or until completely cooked.
Drain the beef, removing access fat, and return the beef to the pot—season with salt, pepper, onion powder, Worcestershire Sauce, and ketchup. Mix the seasoning well into the beef. Now, add the pickles, diced tomatoes, and stir. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan on low to medium heat melt the butter. Once the butter has melted, whisk in the flour. Once you have whisked in the flour, it will appear lumpy. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking to remove the lumps.
Once the milk has been added, and it begins to steam, add 2 cups of the sharp cheddar cheese. Constantly stir until the cheese has fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a rectangular 9X13 casserole pan, pour the beef mixture evenly into the dish. Add the tater tots lining them in rows on top of the beef. Next, pour the cheese sauce over the tater tots. Sprinkle the last 2 cups of cheese. Bake in the oven uncovered for 30 minutes.
Allow the casserole to cool before serving.

Notes

I suggest buying 2 8 oz. blocks of sharp cheddar cheese and grating them yourself because the melting quality is better.
Turn this into Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole by adding bacon.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Category: Dinner
Method: Bake
Cuisine: American