Prepare to take your taste buds on a delightful journey with this Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bomb Bake. This ultimate comfort food mashup combines the irresistible flavors of mac and cheese, cheeseburgers, and crispy tater tots into one decadent, gourmet dish. Get ready to experience the perfect balance of savory, creamy, and crunchy in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bomb Bake
This dish is a true masterpiece of cozy comfort and refined elegance. The creamy, cheesy mac and cheese base is elevated with the addition of savory ground beef, crispy bacon, and melty cheddar. The crowning glory? A layer of crispy, golden tater tots that add the perfect textural contrast. It’s a dish that will satisfy your cravings and leave you feeling inspired by the beautiful, wholesome flavors. This loaded bake is the ultimate in comfort food indulgence, guaranteed to bring joy and delight to any gathering.
Ingredients
This Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bomb Bake requires a few simple, high-quality ingredients that come together to create an irresistible flavor profile. You’ll need elbow macaroni, ground beef, bacon, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, milk, butter, and a package of frozen tater tots.
- 8 oz (225g) – Elbow Macaroni
- 1 lb (450g) – Ground Beef
- 8 slices – Bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 2 cups (200g) – Shredded Cheddar Cheese, divided
- 4 oz (115g) – Cream Cheese
- 1 cup (240ml) – Milk
- 2 tbsp (30g) – Butter
- 1 package (32 oz/900g) – Frozen Tater Tots
Ingredient Substitutions
- Cheese: Monterey Jack or pepper jack — a refined swap that keeps the balance.
- Protein: Ground turkey or plant-based crumbles — perfect for dietary or texture variation.
How to Make Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bomb Bake
This dish comes together in a few simple steps, allowing you to create a comforting, visually stunning masterpiece with ease.
Step 1 — Prep Work
Begin by cooking the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat. Cook the bacon until crispy, then crumble it.
Step 2 — Main Cooking Process
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the cream cheese until smooth, then gradually add the milk, whisking constantly, until the sauce is creamy and lump-free. Stir in the cooked macaroni, ground beef, and half of the cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3 — Final Steps/Assembly
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread the mac and cheese mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and a layer of frozen tater tots.
Step 4 — Finishing Touches
Bake the Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bomb Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Chef Tips & Variations
- Add a Kick: For an extra indulgent twist, you can add diced jalapeños or a drizzle of spicy sauce for a bit of heat.
- Cheese It Up: You can experiment with different types of cheese, such as pepper jack or Monterey Jack, to suit your personal taste preferences.
- Lighten It Up: If you’re looking to lighten things up, you can use ground turkey or plant-based crumbles in place of the ground beef.
- Serve with Salad: Serve this dish with a fresh, crunchy salad for a balanced and satisfying meal.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: a fresh, crunchy salad.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven until heated through.
Make-Ahead: You can assemble the mac and cheese mixture and store it in the baking dish, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, top with the cheddar cheese, bacon, and tater tots, and follow the baking instructions.
Nutrition Information
This Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bomb Bake is a decadent and indulgent dish that should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Each serving provides a satisfying combination of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats, making it a comforting and nourishing option.
- Serving Size: 1/12 of the dish
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Protein: 22 g
- Carbs: 38 g
- Fat: 32 g
- Sodium: 840 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the mac and cheese mixture and store it in the baking dish, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, top with the cheddar cheese, bacon, and tater tots, and follow the baking instructions.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a blend of cheeses, to suit your personal taste preferences.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make this dish vegetarian, you can replace the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils. You may also want to consider adding extra vegetables, such as diced bell peppers or mushrooms, to the mac and cheese mixture.
How can I make this dish lighter?
If you’re looking to reduce the calorie and fat content, you can use ground turkey or plant-based crumbles in place of the ground beef. You can also use low-fat or reduced-fat cheese and milk in the sauce.
Can I freeze this dish?
Yes, you can freeze the assembled Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bomb Bake before baking. Cover the dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2-3 months. When ready to bake, thaw the dish in the refrigerator overnight and then bake as directed.
Try These Next
- Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Skillet Bake
- Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Stuffed Onion Bombs
- Smoky Ranch Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Foil Pan Bake
Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bomb Bake
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A delicious combination of loaded bacon, mac and cheese, and tater tots baked to perfection in a cheesy burger bomb.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 cup cooked macaroni
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup cooked bacon, chopped
2 cups frozen tater tots
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, seasoning with salt and pepper.
3. In a bowl, mix the cooked macaroni, cheddar cheese, bacon, barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, and mustard.
4. In a greased baking dish, layer half of the tater tots, followed by the macaroni mixture, and then the remaining tater tots on top.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
6. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
7. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, add your favorite spices to the ground beef while cooking.
Feel free to substitute the bacon with turkey bacon for a lighter option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Satisfying Snacks & Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 80mg