Big Mac Casserole

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Are you craving the taste of a Big Mac but want a comfy home-cooked meal? This Big Mac Casserole is perfect for you! It combines all the yummy flavors of your favorite burger in an easy-to-make dish that serves 6 people. You’ll get the beef, pickles, cheese, and that special sauce, all topped with crispy tater tots.

This recipe takes just 15 minutes to prep and 30 minutes to cook. It’s a fun twist on fast food that your whole family will love. Plus, you can customize it with your favorite toppings just like you would a regular Big Mac!

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this tasty Big Mac Casserole:

• 1 lb lean ground beef (96/4)
• 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup bread and butter pickles, diced small
• 1/3 cup Thousand Island dressing
• 16 ounces frozen tater tots
• 2 cups shredded lettuce
• Sesame seeds (for topping)

Make sure to have these ingredients ready before you start cooking. The lean ground beef gives you that classic Big Mac flavor without extra fat.

Don’t forget the Thousand Island dressing – it’s key for that signature Big Mac taste! The tater tots add a fun twist to the traditional burger bun.

Remember, you can adjust the cheese amount to your liking. Use 1 cup for a lighter version or 2 cups if you’re a cheese lover.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Get a big skillet ready on the stove.

Heat olive oil in the skillet. Toss in diced onions and cook them until they’re soft and a bit brown, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

Now, add the ground beef to the skillet. Season it with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook and break up the meat until it’s no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes.

Grab a 9×13 baking dish. Put the cooked beef mix in it. Stir in some Thousand Island dressing, diced pickles, and half the cheese.

Next, lay out the tater tots on top of the beef in one layer. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the tots.

Pop the dish in the oven. Bake it for 25-30 minutes until the tater tots turn crispy and golden.

Take it out of the oven when it’s done. Top it with shredded lettuce, more pickles, a drizzle of dressing, and sesame seeds.

Your Big Mac Casserole is ready! Serve it hot and enjoy your meal.

Possible Substitutes List

Want to change up your Big Mac Casserole? Try these swaps:

• Ground turkey or chicken instead of beef
• Sweet potato tots for regular tater tots
• Greek yogurt mixed with ketchup and relish for Thousand Island dressing
• Pickled jalapeños instead of bread and butter pickles

You can also mix up the cheese:

• Pepper jack for a spicy kick
• Swiss for a nutty flavor
• Mozzarella for extra meltiness

No lettuce? No problem! Try these crunchy toppings:

• Shredded cabbage
• Chopped kale
• Diced bell peppers

For a lower-carb version, skip the tater tots and use cauliflower rice as the base. You can also use low-fat cheese and lean ground beef to cut calories.

Feel free to add extra veggies like diced tomatoes or sliced mushrooms. The sky’s the limit with this yummy casserole!

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

You can make this Big Mac casserole more diabetes-friendly with a few simple swaps. Use lean ground turkey instead of beef to cut down on fat. Replace tater tots with cauliflower florets for fewer carbs.

Swap out regular cheese for reduced-fat cheddar. This cuts calories while keeping that cheesy flavor. For the dressing, make your own with Greek yogurt, diced pickles, and spices. It’s lower in sugar than store-bought versions.

Add extra veggies like diced bell peppers to the meat mixture. This ups the fiber and nutrients. Use whole grain breadcrumbs instead of sesame seeds on top for added fiber.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Original	Diabetes-Friendly
Ground beef	Ground turkey
Tater tots	Cauliflower florets
Regular cheese	Reduced-fat cheese
Store-bought dressing	Greek yogurt dressing
Sesame seeds	Whole grain breadcrumbs

These changes lower the carbs and calories while keeping the Big Mac taste you love. Remember to watch your portion sizes too. Enjoy your healthier casserole!

Tips, Tricks & Storing

To save time, cook the beef and onions in two separate skillets. This cuts down prep time by half.

For extra crunch, bake the tater tots for 5 minutes before adding them to the casserole. This ensures they stay crispy.

Try using different cheeses like pepper jack or Swiss for a flavor twist. You can also mix in some bacon bits for added smokiness.

Make sure to drain excess fat from the beef before adding it to the baking dish. This prevents the casserole from becoming greasy.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.

For best results, add fresh toppings like lettuce and pickles just before serving. This keeps them crisp and fresh-tasting.

You can prep the beef mixture a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Just assemble and bake when you’re ready to eat.

Freeze the unbaked casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as directed.