Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Cups

Three tater tots go into each muffin cup, bake for 10 minutes, then get pressed into a cup shape with the bottom of a small glass.

Ground beef seasoned with garlic and onion powder is cooked to 160°F, spooned into the cups and baked again, then finished with cheese sauce, sour cream, bacon and green onions.

Why This Recipe Works

• Baking the tots briefly first softens them enough to press.
• The second bake crisps the cups around the beef.
• Adding the cold toppings last keeps them fresh against the hot cup.
• Individual cups are easy to pick up and serve.

How to Make It

1. Pan greased

   Heat oven to 425°F and grease a 12-cup muffin pan with neutral oil.

2. Tots pressed

   Place 3 tater tots in each muffin cup and bake 10 minutes. Press them firmly into cup shapes with the bottom of a small glass.

3. Beef browned

   Cook ground beef with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a skillet until browned and 160°F.

4. Filled and crisped

   Fill each tater cup with ground beef and bake 8 to 10 minutes more until crisp.

5. Topped

   Top each cup with warm cheddar cheese sauce, sour cream, crumbled cooked bacon, and sliced green onions.

Ingredient Notes

Tater tots

Thirty-six, thawed slightly, three per cup.

Ground beef

Eight ounces, cooked to 160°F.

Cheddar cheese sauce

Three quarters of a cup, warmed.

Success Tips

• Press the tots firmly up the sides to make a proper cup.
• Drain the beef well before filling so the cups stay crisp.
• Run a thin knife around each cup to lift it out.

Serving Ideas

Set out on a platter and add the sour cream and green onions just before serving.

Storage and Reheating