Cozy Cheeseburger Tater Skillet (Print Version)

Ground beef, tater tots, cheddar, and tangy pickles create a flavorful, satisfying main dish in one skillet.

# Components:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup chopped dill pickles, plus extra slices for topping
05 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Dairy & Cheese

06 - 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
07 - ½ cup whole milk
08 - 2 tbsp cream cheese, softened

→ Pantry & Sauces

09 - 2 tbsp ketchup
10 - 1 tbsp yellow mustard
11 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
12 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
13 - ½ tsp kosher salt
14 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Frozen

15 - 1 bag (28 oz) frozen tater tots

→ Topping

16 - ½ cup shredded iceberg lettuce
17 - Extra chopped dill pickles or pickle chips

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
02 - In a large oven-safe skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat until browned, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat as needed.
03 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
05 - Add cream cheese and whole milk to the skillet. Stir until the mixture is creamy and slightly thickened, approximately 2 minutes.
06 - Stir in half of the chopped dill pickles. Remove the skillet from heat.
07 - Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the beef mixture.
08 - Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the top of the beef mixture.
09 - Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crisp.
10 - Remove the skillet from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese over the tater tots. Return to the oven for an additional 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted.
11 - Allow the skillet to cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with shredded iceberg lettuce, the reserved chopped pickles or pickle chips, and thinly sliced green onions before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in under an hour from start to finish
  • Uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand
  • Everything cooks in one skillet for minimal cleanup
  • The pickle crunch adds an unexpected burst of flavor that elevates the dish
02 -
  • Perfect for busy weeknights when you need comfort food fast
  • Contains all the flavors of a cheeseburger without the bun
  • Can be customized with your favorite burger toppings
03 -
  • The key to the perfect cheeseburger skillet is layering your ingredients properly. Always put the cheese under AND over the tater tots for that ideal gooey to crispy ratio that makes this dish so craveable.
  • And dont rush the cooling time at the end those five minutes allow everything to set up properly so you get perfect portions rather than a sloppy mess when serving.

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