Easy Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones

Introduction

If you love cheeseburgers, bacon, and crispy tater tots, this recipe will be your new obsession. Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones are not only mouthwatering but also incredibly fun to make and serve. Imagine a crunchy cone made entirely of tater tots, filled with a cheesy, savory bacon cheeseburger mixture, and finished with a gooey topping of cheddar and mozzarella. They’re perfect for game day, family gatherings, or whenever you want to wow your guests with a dish that’s as visually impressive as it is delicious.

My recipe story

The first time I made these stuffed tater tot cones was for a football watch party at home. I wanted something that combined the nostalgic comfort of cheeseburgers and tater tots but with a unique twist that would make everyone’s eyes light up. Instead of serving tots on the side, I thought—why not make them the main vessel? With some creativity, patience, and plenty of cheese, the Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones were born. Since then, they’ve become a family favorite, often requested at gatherings, and they never fail to get compliments on both flavor and presentation.

Ingredient breakdown

The beauty of this recipe lies in its balance of simple, everyday ingredients that come together in a showstopping way. The tater tots act as the base, baking into a crisp golden shell that holds everything inside. Store-bought frozen tater tots work perfectly and save you plenty of prep time.

The filling is a classic bacon cheeseburger mixture made from ground beef, crispy cooked bacon, onions, and garlic for flavor depth. Adding ketchup, mustard, or even BBQ sauce can give it an extra punch, while shredded cheddar and mozzarella melt into creamy goodness throughout. The blend of cheeses ensures both bold flavor and that perfect stretchy, gooey texture we all love.

To finish, more cheese is sprinkled on top before baking to achieve that bubbly, golden crust. Optional toppings like diced pickles, fresh lettuce, or a drizzle of burger sauce can take these cones to the next level, making them customizable for everyone’s taste.

Equipment you’ll need

• Baking sheet
• Aluminum foil
• Cooking spray
• Skillet or frying pan
• Mixing bowls
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Cheese grater (if shredding fresh cheese)

Step-by-step directions

Step 1: Shape the cones
Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. Arrange thawed tater tots in overlapping rows to form a cone shape. Wrap in foil for support and bake until golden brown and firm. This creates your crispy tater tot cone shells.

Step 2: Cook the bacon
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove, let drain on paper towels, and chop into small pieces. The rendered bacon fat can be reserved for extra flavor in the beef mixture.

Step 3: Prepare the beef filling
In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic until fragrant. Add the ground beef, cooking until browned and crumbled. Stir in seasonings, chopped bacon, and a handful of shredded cheese to bind the filling together.

Step 4: Stuff the cones
Carefully remove the baked tater tot cones from the foil molds. Spoon the bacon cheeseburger mixture inside each cone, pressing gently to fill completely. Top with more shredded cheddar and mozzarella.

Step 5: Bake and finish
Return the stuffed cones to the oven and bake until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, then garnish with optional toppings before serving hot.

Variations & substitutions

You can easily make this recipe your own with a few tweaks. Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. For a spicy twist, mix in diced jalapeños or pepper jack cheese. Vegetarians can use plant-based crumbles and veggie bacon to keep the flavor profile while making it meatless. You could even create a breakfast version by filling the cones with scrambled eggs, sausage, and cheese.

Storage, freezing & make-ahead

These tater tot cones are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, but you can prepare them in advance. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in the oven at 350°F until warmed through and crispy again. Freezing is possible, but keep in mind that the tots may lose some crispiness after thawing. If making ahead, prepare the beef mixture and bake the tater tot cones separately, then stuff and finish baking just before serving.

Serving ideas & pairings

Serve these cones as a fun appetizer or as part of a meal. They pair beautifully with a crisp side salad to balance the richness, or with classic burger sides like coleslaw and fries. For dipping, offer ketchup, ranch, or a homemade burger sauce. If serving at a party, arrange them upright in a stand or lined up on a platter for an eye-catching presentation.

FAQ

Can I make the cones without foil molds?
Yes, but foil helps maintain the cone shape. Without it, shaping may be more challenging.

What’s the best cheese for this recipe?
A mix of cheddar and mozzarella offers the best flavor and melt, but you can experiment with Monterey Jack, Swiss, or pepper jack.

Can I use homemade tater tots?
Absolutely! Homemade tots will add extra flavor, though they may require more effort and time to shape.

How do I keep the cones crispy?
Serve immediately after baking. Reheating in the oven instead of the microwave helps retain crispiness.

Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes, substitute the beef and bacon with plant-based alternatives and keep the rest of the recipe the same.

Final thoughts

Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones are the perfect combination of comfort food, creativity, and fun. Whether you’re hosting a game day party, feeding hungry kids, or just craving something indulgent, this recipe delivers every time. With crispy tater tots, savory bacon cheeseburger filling, and melty cheese, every bite is packed with flavor. Try them once, and they’ll quickly become a regular on your menu for both casual nights and special occasions.

Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones

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• Author: Sarah White
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings

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Description

Crispy tater tot cones filled with juicy ground beef, smoky bacon, and melty cheese. A fun, handheld twist on classic comfort food.

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Ingredients

• 4 cups frozen tater tots, thawed

• 1 lb ground beef
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped

• 1 small onion, finely diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Optional toppings: diced pickles, shredded lettuce, burger sauce

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.

2. Arrange thawed tater tots on the foil in overlapping rows, shaping into cone molds with foil support. Bake 18–22 minutes until golden and crisp.
3. While cones bake, heat olive oil in a skillet. Cook onion and garlic until fragrant. Add ground beef and cook until browned.

4. Stir in bacon, ketchup, mustard, and half the cheese. Season with salt and pepper, then simmer for 2–3 minutes.

5. Carefully remove baked tater tot cones from molds. Fill each with the beef mixture, pressing gently.
6. Top with remaining cheese and bake another 5–7 minutes until melted and bubbly.

7. Serve hot with optional toppings and sauces.

Notes

 Best enjoyed fresh from the oven for maximum crispiness. To reheat, place in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes. Pair with a crisp salad or dipping sauces for serving.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American