Big Mac casserole is layered with all your favorite burger ingredients such as ground beef, onion, cheese, pickles, and lettuce plus tater tots and a special homemade Big Mac sauce!
Why this recipe works
This Big Mac Casserole has all the same delicious flavors and textures of the Big Mac you know and love – but with a secret ingredient (Worcestershire sauce) added to the beef to ramp up the flavor profile. Layered with a homemade Big Mac sauce that tastes exactly like the real thing and a swap of the burger bun for crisp tater tots, your family will be hooked!
Looking for a low-carb alternative? Our Big Mac salad is just as delicious without the additional carbs.
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
GROUND BEEF – You get more flavor by using fattier ground beef such as 85% lean. Since beef is the main ingredient, you really want that flavor to come through. If you choose to use leaner ground beef, you will need to lightly grease your casserole dish with 1 tablespoon of olive oil before adding the beef layer.
CHEESE – It is best to use an orange-colored cheese. Instead of shredded cheese, you can substitute with American cheese slices to get that true Big Mac experience. Simply chop 4 slices of the cheese to add to the beef mixture in the skillet and then layer 8 slices over the beef mixture once it’s in the casserole dish.
PICKLES – Use dill pickles that are not sweetened. I like to buy whole dill pickles and slice them myself on a mandolin, it is more cost effective to do so and you also get a nice thin slice that is more like those found in a Big Mac.
SAUCE – Make sure to use a good quality mayonnaise when making your Big Mac sauce such as Hellman’s or Best Foods. Any other mayonnaise will affect the taste of your Big Mac sauce.
How to Make Big Mac Casserole
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Heat oil in a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add chopped onions and fry until soft and translucent (about three minutes). Make sure the onions do not brown.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it up into smaller pieces as it cooks.
- Add the granulated onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and continue to cook until the meat is no longer pink.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce and stir to combine.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and allow the beef to cool while you prepare the Big Mac sauce.
- In a small mixing bowl combine, the mayonnaise, relish, mustard, vinegar, paprika, granulated onion, and garlic powder.
- Add ½ cup of the Big Mac sauce to the cooled beef mixture and fold in 1/3 cup shredded cheese.
- Transfer the beef to a 13×9 casserole dish and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle with the remaining 1 2/3 cup shredded cheese.
- Place frozen tater tots in neat rows over the top of the cheese layer.
- Place the uncovered casserole dish on the center rack in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes (or until the tops of the tater tots are golden brown).
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before garnishing with dill pickle slices, shredded lettuce, and sesame seeds. For a pop of color and freshness, add chopped tomatoes. Drizzle remaining sauce over the top.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Store any cooled leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The lettuce will get soggy in the fridge so I would suggest removing it before storing and adding the shredded lettuce just before serving.
Yes, you can make this casserole ahead of time. Prepare the beef mixture, layer it with the cheese in the casserole dish, and place it in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, add the frozen tater tots and bake.
Serving Suggestions
Garnish your Big Mac casserole with optional sesame seeds and chopped tomatoes. Though tomatoes aren’t a classic topping you’d find on a Big Mac, they add a nice pop of color, texture, and freshness. Don’t forget to layer the top with shredded lettuce. Enjoy warm from the oven.
More Casserole Recipes
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Big Mac Casserole
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
Beef Mixture
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup diced white onion
- 2 pounds ground beef 85% lean
- 1 ½ teaspoons granulated onion or onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 32 ounces tater tots
- ½ cup sliced dill pickles
Big Mac Sauce
- â…” cup mayonnaise
- â…“ cup sweet pickle relish
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoons granulated onion or onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Toppings
- 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
- ½ cup diced cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
- 2 Tablespoons sesame seeds
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- You get more flavor by using fattier ground beef such as 85% lean. Since beef is the main ingredient, you really want that flavor to come through. If you choose to use leaner ground beef, you will need to lightly grease your casserole dish with 1 tablespoon of olive oil before adding the beef layer.
- It is best to use an orange-colored cheese. Instead of shredded cheese, you can substitute with American cheese slices to get that true Big Mac experience. Simply chop 4 slices of the cheese to add to the beef mixture in the skillet and then layer 8 slices over the beef mixture once it’s in the casserole dish.
- Use dill pickles that are not sweetened. I like to buy whole dill pickles and slice them myself on a mandolin, it is more cost effective to do so and you also get a nice thin slice that is more like those found in a Big Mac.
- Make sure to use a good quality mayonnaise when making your Big Mac sauce such as Hellman’s or Best Foods. Any other mayonnaise will affect the taste of your Big Mac sauce.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Heat oil in a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add chopped onions and fry until soft and translucent (about three minutes). Make sure the onions do not brown.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it up into smaller pieces as it cooks.
- Add the granulated onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and continue to cook until the meat is no longer pink.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce and stir to combine.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and allow the beef to cool while you prepare the Big Mac sauce.
- In a small mixing bowl combine, the mayonnaise, relish, mustard, vinegar, paprika, granulated onion, and garlic powder.
- Add ½ cup of the Big Mac sauce to the cooled beef mixture and fold in 1/3 cup shredded cheese.
- Transfer the beef to a 13×9 casserole dish and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle with the remaining 1 2/3 cup shredded cheese.
- Place frozen tater tots in neat rows over the top of the cheese layer.
- Place the uncovered casserole dish on the center rack in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes (or until the tops of the tater tots are golden brown).
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before garnishing with dill pickle slices, shredded lettuce, and sesame seeds. For a pop of color and freshness, add chopped tomatoes. Drizzle remaining sauce over the top.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Store any cooled leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The lettuce will get soggy in the fridge so I would suggest removing it before storing and adding the shredded lettuce just before serving.
- Make Ahead – Prepare the beef mixture, layer it with the cheese in the casserole dish, and place it in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, add the frozen tater tots and bake.
Nutrition
Kristen Rittmer
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Bev Jutras says
You’ve forgotten to tell us when to add the remaining sauce!
Amanda Davis says
Thanks for pointing that out – you just drizzle it over the top. I’ve corrected the recipe.
Bev Jutras says
Could you please tell me when we’re supposed to add the remaining sauce after we’ve put 1/2 cup of it in the ground beef mixture?