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Get comfy with these crowd-pleasing Cheeseburger Mac & Cheese Stuffed Tots. We take two dinner favorites—cheesy macaroni and burger beef—then pile 'em into crunchy potato cups. Expect all the flavors you love from a classic cheeseburger, only mashed together in a playful way you can't resist.
The first time I made these was at my nephew’s birthday bash. I needed something easy but guaranteed to make everyone happy—kids and grown-ups included. I barely got a bite before the pan was empty. Now anytime we get the family together, folks ask if I’m bringing these along.
Dreamy Ingredients
- Ketchup Sweet and tangy, just brings that burger feel front and center.
- Chopped pickles Totally optional, but they add a nice sharp zip and round out the flavors like a real burger.
- Shredded cheddar cheese Go for a block and grate it yourself—makes the sauce extra gooey.
- Milk Whole milk is top pick for smoothness, but 2% is fine if that’s what you’ve got.
- Butter and flour These two team up to make your cheese sauce thick and hearty.
- Elbow macaroni Their shape is spot-on for holding all that cheese sauce.
- Garlic powder and onion powder You get the flavor punch, but skip chopping onion or garlic.
- Ground beef 80/20 gives the most flavor, but lean works too if that’s your thing.
- Frozen tater tots Find a good brand so you get that real potato flavor and crunch. They form the tasty “cups.”
Easy How-To Guide
- Final bake
- Pop your muffin pan full of topped cups back in the oven for ten minutes—just enough to melt the cheese and toast things up. Let them sit in the pan for 5 minutes when you pull them out so everything stays together.
- Combine and assemble
- Stir together your beef, cheese sauce, and macaroni in a big bowl, being gentle. Scoop hearty spoonfuls into each tater tot cup, filling them up but don’t smoosh the sides.
- Make the cheese sauce
- In a small pot, melt butter without letting it brown, then mix in the flour for a minute. Grab your whisk and slowly add milk, stirring like crazy to avoid clumps. Let it cook until it gets creamy, then add cheese and mix until totally melted and glossy.
- Prepare the beef
- Throw the beef in a skillet over medium heat with your seasonings. Chop it up while it cooks, letting some bits brown for extra flavor. Drain away any extra fat so your cups won’t turn greasy.
- Cook the pasta
- Get a pot of salty water boiling, then toss in macaroni. Pull it out a minute before the package says it’s done. Don’t rinse—just drain well so the cheese sauce sticks better.
- Prep the tater tot cups
- Heat up your oven to 425°F and hit a muffin pan with cooking spray. Put 4 or 5 tots in each spot and bake for 10 minutes to soften. Use a spoon to press the tots into cup shapes. Stick 'em back in the oven another ten minutes until they’re golden and crispy.
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What do I love most about making these? Watching everyone’s faces light up on that first bite. Crunch outside—creamy, savory inside. That kind of reaction makes all the cooking worth it.
Prep Ahead Hints
You can put these together right up through stuffing the tots, then stash them in the fridge overnight. When you’re ready, just bake as usual but tack on five more minutes. They stay pretty crisp, but best believe they’re magic right out of the oven.
Change It Up
This is an easy one to tweak. Swap beef for ground turkey if you want to lighten it up. Like some heat? Use pepper jack cheese. Mix in smoked gouda for a new flavor. Going veggie? Try a plant-based meat or even some tasty spiced black beans. Need gluten-free? Use GF pasta and check your flour.
Kid-Approved Spins
Set up a topping station: bacon bits, tomatoes, lettuce, sauces like ranch or BBQ, even spicy mayo. Makes dinner a little DIY and lots more fun—everyone can build their favorite. My nieces always add a pile of corn and more cheese.
How to Serve
Makes a perfect main with a quick green salad and vinaigrette. If company’s over, pile them up on a tray with little bowls of ketchup, mustard, or pickle relish for dipping. Want one-bite snacks? Use mini muffin tins for bite-sized fun—great for game day.
Common Queries
- → How can I make the tot cups extra crunchy?
Bake the tots for about 10 minutes, press them down gently into cups using the back of a spoon, then bake another 10 minutes until they’re crisp and golden.
- → Can I switch up the cheese?
Sure! Swap out cheddar for options like mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or anything that melts easily and tastes good to you.
- → What’s a good ground beef substitute?
You can use turkey or chicken instead. For a vegetarian spin, go with plant-based ground alternatives.
- → How can I keep the mac filling creamy?
Make sure your cheese sauce is super smooth before mixing it with the macaroni. Don’t overbake after adding the filling to keep it moist.
- → Can I prep these ahead of time?
Absolutely! Make the tots and cheesy mix separately, then put them together and bake right before serving to keep everything fresh and crispy.