If your crew loves bacon cheeseburgers and tater tots, these Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones are an easy win. They hit all the cravings: crispy, salty tots, juicy seasoned beef, melted cheddar, and smoky bacon. But the fun part is the cone shape — it feels like party food, but it’s simple enough for a weeknight when you don’t want to fuss with a ton of dishes.
I started making these on nights when I needed something fast, filling, and kid-approved that didn’t require a long list of ingredients. Everything here is basic — frozen tater tots, ground beef, cheese, bacon — but the way you layer and bake them turns it into something a lot more interesting than a regular plate of tots. It’s the same flavors as a bacon cheeseburger, just rearranged into a crispy, cheesy, handheld bite.
These cones are also surprisingly flexible. You can keep them plain for picky eaters or set out toppings and sauces so everyone builds their own. They work as a main dish with a simple salad or veggies on the side, or as a game-day snack tray where people can grab a cone and dip as they go. No buns to toast, no frying, and the oven does most of the work.
If you’re still building confidence in the kitchen, this is a great recipe to practice with. There’s nothing fancy here, but you’ll get more comfortable with browning meat properly, baking tots until they’re actually crispy, and using the oven to melt cheese without drying anything out. Once you’ve tried it once, you’ll see how easy it is to tweak the flavors and make it your own.
A Taste of Inspiration: How to Make Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones
Essential Ingredients
- 450 grams ground beef
- 24 frozen tater tots
- 115 grams shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
The Method
- Preheat and crisp the tots. Heat your oven according to the tater tot package instructions. Spread the frozen tots in a single layer on a baking tray and bake until they’re golden and crispy. Don’t rush this step — the tots need to be firm and crunchy so they hold their cone shape later.
- Brown the beef. While the tots bake, place a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, season with salt and black pepper, and cook, breaking it into small crumbles with a spoon. Keep going until there’s no pink left and the pieces are nicely browned — this is where the flavor develops. Drain off any excess fat so the cones don’t turn greasy.
- Prep your fillings. Crumble the cooked bacon into small pieces and shred the cheddar if it’s not pre-shredded. Having everything ready makes the assembly quick, and you want to assemble while the tots are still hot so the cheese melts more easily.
- Shape the tot cones. Once the tater tots are crisp, transfer them to a plate or baking tray. Use your hands or a spoon to arrange 6 tots per serving into cone shapes or small mounds, pressing them gently together so they stay stacked. If a cone feels wobbly, add an extra tot as a base or press a bit more firmly until it feels stable.
- Load with beef, cheese, and bacon. Spoon the hot ground beef over each tot cone, dividing it evenly. Aim to pile it in the center so it doesn’t spill off the sides. Immediately sprinkle shredded cheddar over the beef, then top with crumbled bacon. The cones should look generously covered — this is the “stuffed” part.
- Melt the cheese. Carefully move the assembled cones onto a baking tray if they aren’t already on one. Place them in a 190°C oven for 5–7 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and just starting to bubble. Pull them out as soon as the cheese is melted so the tots stay crisp and don’t overbake.
- Serve hot with dips. Use a spatula to transfer the cones to plates. Serve right away while the tots are crispy and the cheese is gooey. Add your favorite dipping sauces on the side — ketchup, burger sauce, or ranch all work well.
Shaping Easy Tot Cones
Getting the tater tots into a cone shape is less about perfection and more about stability. Start with a base of three or four tots touching each other, then stack two or three more on top, slightly inward, to form a small pyramid or cone. Press gently but firmly so the tots grip each other without crushing. If they’re too soft, bake them a few more minutes; if they’re too hard, they’ll still work, you’ll just need a bit more pressure. You can also build the cones right on the baking tray lined with parchment, which makes it easier to move them in and out of the oven without them tipping over.
Topping Ideas and Sauces
Once you’ve got the basic Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones down, toppings are where you can have some fun. Think about what you like on a burger and bring that here. Diced pickles, shredded lettuce, finely chopped onion, or sliced green onions all work well added after baking so they stay fresh and crisp. For sauces, try ketchup, mustard, burger sauce, BBQ sauce, ranch, or a mix of mayo and ketchup with a little pickle juice. If you want some heat, drizzle hot sauce or add jalapeño slices. Set everything out in small bowls so everyone can customize their own cone.
Recipe Help: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep the tater tot cones from falling apart while assembling?
The key is to start with fully crispy tots and build the cones where they’ll be baked, usually on a lined baking tray. If the tots are still soft, they won’t stack well, so bake them a few extra minutes until they feel firm when you tap them. Press the tots together gently so they touch on as many sides as possible, like puzzle pieces. When you add the beef, spoon it right in the center instead of on the edges, which helps keep the cone balanced and less likely to topple.
Can I make any part of this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, but it’s important to keep the tot texture in mind. You can cook and season the ground beef and cook and crumble the bacon up to 2 days ahead; store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, reheat the beef until hot so it helps melt the cheese quickly. Bake the tots fresh right before assembling, because pre-baked tots tend to lose their crispness as they sit. Assemble the cones, add cheese and bacon, and then do the final short bake right before serving so everything is hot and crisp.
What can I do if my beef turns out dry or bland?
If the ground beef tastes flat, it usually needs more seasoning or moisture. Make sure you’re seasoning with salt and pepper during cooking, not just at the end. Taste a small piece before you assemble and adjust the salt if needed. You can also stir in a teaspoon or two of ketchup, mustard, or a splash of Worcestershire sauce after browning to boost flavor and add a bit of juiciness. Avoid overcooking the beef on very high heat for too long, because that drives off moisture and makes the crumbles tough instead of tender.
Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones
Ingredients
- 450 g ground beef
- 24 pieces frozen tater tots
- 115 g shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 slices cooked bacon crumbled
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
Crisp the Tater Tots
- Preheat the oven and cook the frozen tater tots following the package directions until they are golden brown and crunchy.
- Let the tots cool briefly so they can be handled and shaped without falling apart.
Prepare the Beef Filling
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it into small pieces, until browned and no longer pink.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then drain any excess fat from the pan.
Shape the Base
- Arrange the crispy tater tots on a plate or baking sheet, stacking or grouping them to form cone shapes or small mounds that will hold the filling.
Add Fillings
- Spoon the cooked ground beef onto each tater tot cone, then sprinkle shredded cheddar and crumbled bacon over the top.
Melt the Cheese
- Place the assembled cones in a preheated oven at 190°C (375°F) and bake for 5–7 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and everything is warmed through.
Serve
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately while hot; offer your favorite dipping sauce on the side if desired.