Description
Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones with Colossal Cheese Volcano combine crispy golden tater tots shaped into handheld cones filled with juicy seasoned ground beef and topped with melted cheddar cheese that flows like a molten volcano. Perfect as a fun, comforting appetizer or main dish for cookouts, family dinners, and casual gatherings, this recipe delivers bold cheeseburger flavors with an exciting and Instagram-worthy presentation.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Frozen Tater Tots – quantity as needed to form cones (approximately 2 cups per 6 cones)
- Ground Beef – 1 pound
- Cheddar Cheese (shredded) – 1 to 1½ cups
- Burger Seasoning (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder) – 1 teaspoon each or to taste
Optional Ingredients & Toppings
- Slider Buns or Cone Molds – 6 molds or equivalent for shaping cones
- Ketchup – for garnish
- Mustard – for garnish
- Pickles (sliced) – ½ cup
- Lettuce (shredded) – 1 cup
- Cooking Oil Spray – for coating molds and cones
Instructions
- Prepare the Tater Tot Cones: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray the cone molds or shape parchment paper cones and tightly layer frozen tater tots around the molds, pressing firmly to hold their shape. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the tater tots are crispy, golden brown, and sturdy enough to hold filling.
- Cook the Ground Beef: While the cones bake, heat a skillet over medium heat and brown the ground beef. Add burger seasoning and mix well to infuse deep flavor. Cook until no pink remains, then drain any excess fat.
- Assemble the Cheeseburger Filling: Fill each crispy tater tot cone with a generous portion of the cooked seasoned ground beef. Add fresh toppings like shredded lettuce and pickle slices if desired.
- Create the Colossal Cheese Volcano: Top each filled cone with a thick mound of shredded cheddar cheese or your preferred melting cheese. Return the cones to the oven for 5-7 minutes or until the cheese melts fully into a bubbly, molten volcano cascade.
- Garnish and Serve: Drizzle ketchup and mustard over the cheese volcano for tangy balance, then serve immediately to enjoy the ultimate cheesy, savory experience.
Notes
- Use sturdy metal or silicone molds to achieve a perfect cone shape and even crispiness.
- Don’t overfill with beef or cheese to prevent sogginess or spills when eating.
- Choose cheeses that melt well such as sharp cheddar or mozzarella blends for the best lava flow effect.
- Monitor oven times carefully to avoid drying out the cones or beef while melting the cheese.
- Customize condiments with ranch, BBQ sauce, or sriracha mayo for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cone
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg