Description
This Ground Turkey Cheeseburger Tater Tot Hotdish is a comforting and hearty casserole that combines savory seasoned turkey, melted cheddar cheese, and crispy tater tots baked to golden perfection. Topped with fresh pickles, shredded lettuce, and a zesty Smashburger sauce, this dish is a fun twist on a classic cheeseburger in a warm, satisfying casserole perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean)
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 10 cracks fresh ground black pepper, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 1/2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 5 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 large bag tater tots (about 32 ounces)
Toppings for Serving
- Finely chopped dill pickles
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- Smashburger sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for baking the hotdish later.
- Cook Onions: Heat a 10-inch cast iron pan over medium heat. Add the butter and swirl it around until melted, then add the chopped yellow onion along with a big pinch of kosher salt. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the onions become translucent and reduce in size.
- Sear Ground Turkey: Push the cooked onions to one side of the pan and increase the heat to medium-high. Add the ground turkey in one piece and sprinkle evenly with 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 10 cracks of black pepper. Let it sear without stirring for 4 minutes, pressing down occasionally with a spatula to brown. Then coarsely chop the meat and mix it with the onions. Continue stirring to cook until no pink remains.
- Add Garlic: Lower the heat to low and add minced garlic. Cook for one minute until fragrant, then remove the pan from heat.
- Mix Sauce: Stir in ketchup, yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce into the turkey mixture until fully combined.
- Add Cheese and Tater Tots: Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese evenly over the turkey mixture. Then arrange the tater tots in a single layer over the cheese, covering the entire dish.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the tater tots are browned and crispy on top.
- Serve: Remove from oven and top with finely chopped dill pickles, shredded iceberg lettuce, and dollops of Smashburger sauce. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Use a cast iron pan if possible for even cooking and easy transfer to the oven.
- Feel free to substitute ground chicken or lean beef instead of turkey.
- For a spicier twist, add some chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the meat mixture.
- Make sure to arrange tater tots in a single layer for maximum crispiness.
- This dish reheats well and can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 37 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
