Spicy Cheeseburger Casserole is a delicious, spicy take on the all-American favorite, cheeseburger and fries. This dish will become a household favorite, featuring tater tots instead of fries and a flavorful mix of cheeses.
Spicy Cheeseburger Casserole
If you’re craving a cheeseburger but want something a little different, this Spicy Cheeseburger Casserole hits all the right notes. It’s a comforting meal that serves eight or can be split into two dinners for four, perfect for meal planning. The dish offers a creative twist on classic cheeseburger flavors, with some fun substitutions.
As I was perusing through Southern Living looking for ground beef recipes, I came across a recipe for Cheeseburger Casserole. It looked wonderful, but when I looked at the directions, I realized that I could make it better by using only one pan instead of two. I thought about how popular my Habanero Cheddar Burgers are and decided this casserole needed to be spicy as well.
Instead of lettuce, the casserole includes cabbage, adding a satisfying crunch and added nutrition. Tater tots replace French fries, giving you that crispy, savory bite. A can of diced tomatoes with green chilis adds a layer of spice and flavor, making the casserole more dynamic.
Cheese lovers, rejoice! This recipe calls for four different kinds of cheese, creating a gooey, satisfying texture. Each cheesy bite pairs perfectly with the hearty ground beef, spicy tomatoes, and crispy tots.
You don’t have to use a brand-name tater tot, a store-brand one will be fine. Since I was cooking this in a round pan, round tots were perfect. I have also cooked it in a square pan and used rectangular tots.
This dish is an excellent option for family dinners, potlucks, or even meal prepping. You can make a full portion to feed eight or divide the recipe for two meals of four. Either way, it’s sure to become a go-to recipe in your kitchen!
Great for Meal-Prep
I have made this casserole several times. The first time, I made it in the 12-inch cast iron skillet. It also fits well in an 11×17-inch casserole. If you want to have it for 2 meals, before adding the tots, divide it between two 8-inch pans, add the potatoes, put one covered in the freezer, and cook the other one.
Substitutions
Make it Mild
If you don’t like spicy, you can do some substitutions.
- Swap Monterey Jack for Pepper Jack
- Swap canned chopped tomatoes for the tomatoes and green chili
- Omit the Fresh Jax Peppered Habanero Spice
Make it Vegan
You can also make this vegan by omitting the ground beef or substituting it with your favorite plant-based meat. Use vegetable base instead of beef base.
Make it Gluten-free
For gluten-free substitute rice flour or cornstarch for the all-purpose flour. Please be sure any other listed ingredients as also gluten-free or were made in a gluten-free facility.
What to Serve with Spicy Cheeseburger Casserole
Since the recipe already has tater tots subbing for fries, you could accompany the casserole with a green salad. For an adult beverage, your favorite beer would go well. Of course, a cola or even a thick milkshake could be another choice.
Spicy Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
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Spicy Cheeseburger Casserole
Tips from the Chef
- Swap Monterey Jack for Pepper Jack
- Swap canned chopped tomatoes for the tomatoes and green chili
- Omit the Fresh Jax Peppered Habanero Spice
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon *olive oil
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon *beef base
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons *all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons powdered cheddar
- 1 cup water, boiling
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon Fresh Jax Peppered Habanero Spice
- 10 ounces diced tomatoes and green chiles, canned drained
- ½ cup cabbage, chopped
- 4 oz. pepper Jack cheese, shredded
- 4 oz. white Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 ounces gruyere, shredded
- 4 cups frozen tater tots, 1 32-oz. package
- 2 tablespoons bacon bits
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Mise en place
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 cup onionHeat the skillet and add the olive oil. When the olive oil is shimmering, add the onions.
- 1 pound ground beefWhen the onions have turned translucent, add the beef.
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 teaspoon beef baseWhen the beef is cooked through, add the tomato paste and beef base.
- Reduce the heat to low.
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flourAdd the flour.
- 3 tablespoons powdered cheddarAdd the powered cheese.
- 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 teaspoon Fresh Jax Peppered Habanero SpiceAdd boiling water, the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and peppered habanero, Stir to combine.
- Cook, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
- 10 ounces diced tomatoes and green chilesAdd the tomatoes and stir them in.
- 1/2 cup cabbageAdd the cabbage and stir that in.
- 4 oz. pepper Jack cheese, 4 oz. white Cheddar cheese, 2 ounces gruyereAdd half of the grated cheese and set the rest aside.
- Stir until all the cheese is melted.
- If you want, you can divide the mixture into two eight-inch pans for two meals.
- 4 cups frozen tater totsTop the mixture with the tater tots.
- Bake in a 350 °F (177 °C) oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the tater tots have browned.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and top with the remaining cheese.
- 2 tablespoons bacon bitsSprinkle the bacon bits on top.
- 2 tablespoons ketchup, 2 tablespoons green onionsGarnish with ketchup and green onions.
- Enjoy!
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