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Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Cones

Experience the nostalgic comfort of a classic cheeseburger and crispy tater tots, all wrapped into one adorable, easy-to-eat package! These golden, crunchy tater tot cones are stuffed with a savory, cheesy, bacon-infused ground beef mixture, making them the ultimate comfort food mashup for any occasion.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Party Food
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef 80/20 recommended
  • 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 1/4 cup diced onions
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • 24 frozen tater tots uniformly sized
  • 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Small knife or tiny spoon (or melon baller)
  • Parchment-lined baking sheet

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain any excess fat. Stir in crumbled bacon, diced onions, ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard. Mix well, then season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
  3. Step 3: Gently hollow out each frozen tater tot using a small knife or spoon, creating a cup shape. Be careful not to go all the way through the bottom.
  4. Step 4: Spoon a generous amount of the cheeseburger mixture into each hollowed-out tater tot cone. Top each filled tot with a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese.
  5. Step 5: Arrange the filled tater tot cones on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheddar cheese is melted and bubbling.
  6. Step 6: While the first bake is happening, combine the shredded mozzarella cheese with any remaining cheeseburger mixture. Once the cones are out of the oven, quickly spoon or sprinkle this mozzarella-burger mix over each one.
  7. Step 7: Return the cones to the oven for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the mozzarella topping is perfectly bubbly and golden brown. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

This recipe is highly versatile! Easily swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles. Experiment with other melting cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, or Pepper Jack. Adjust the flavor profile by adding BBQ sauce, Worcestershire, or hot sauce to the burger mixture. Boost nutrition by stirring in finely diced bell peppers, sautéed mushrooms, or spinach, or add a spicy kick with chili powder, smoked paprika, or cayenne pepper. Serve with extra toppings such as chopped pickles, diced tomatoes, fresh jalapeño slices, sour cream, or chopped green onions.
For optimal results, ensure tater tots are frozen solid before hollowing gently to maintain their structure. Don't make the walls too thin. After cooking ground beef, pat it down with a paper towel to remove excess grease. Avoid overstuffing the cones to prevent spillage during baking. Arrange similar-sized tots on the baking sheet for even cooking. The ground beef mixture can be prepared up to a day in advance and refrigerated, then brought to room temperature before assembly.
Cooled leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze baked cones (once completely cooled) in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 1-2 months. To reheat, bake from the fridge at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 20-30 minutes, until heated through and crispy. An air fryer also works wonderfully for reheating to restore crispiness.