If you want to bring wow factor to your table, look no further than Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones with Colossal Cheese Volcano. This playful, party-ready main course transforms all the smoky, beefy, cheesy joy of a classic cheeseburger into the most epic, crispy tater tot vessel imaginable, then floods it with a molten cheddar cheese “volcano” right before serving. Each bite is bursting with the pure fun of a cheeseburger, the crunch of tater tots, and the gooey drama of cheese—making this the ultimate crowd-pleaser for family nights, game days, and honestly, anytime you want some joy on your plate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t let the wow-factor fool you—Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones with Colossal Cheese Volcano come together with just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients. Each one pulls double duty, packing serious flavor, texture, and pure fun into every bite.
- Frozen tater tots: These create the crispy, crunchy edible cone that steals the show—let them thaw just enough to shape easily.
- Olive oil: A drizzle gets your beef mixture sizzling and adds a touch of richness.
- Ground beef: The bold, savory base of that classic cheeseburger filling.
- Garlic powder: Delivers irresistible warmth and depth to the beef.
- Onion powder: Layers on cheeseburger nostalgia, minus the chopping.
- Salt: Pulls all the flavors together and keeps your filling vibrant.
- Black pepper: Adds just the right kick of heat to balance the richness.
- Diced onions: Sweet, crunchy, and downright essential for that burger-shop vibe.
- Diced pickles: Tart, juicy pops of tang you expect from the perfect cheeseburger.
- Ketchup: A saucy hit of sweetness and zing layered into the filling.
- Yellow mustard: Brightens everything up with a hint of sharpness—just like the best burger sauces.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: The star of your cheese volcano, perfectly melty and bold.
- Milk: Helps create a glossy, pourable cheese sauce that erupts just right.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps build the satiny base of your cheese sauce.
- All-purpose flour: Thickens the cheese volcano to glorious, dippable perfection.
- Smoked paprika: A little smokiness that makes your cheese sauce unbelievably unforgettable.
- Chopped green onions: The finishing touch for color, crunch, and a fresh flavor pop.
How to Make Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones with Colossal Cheese Volcano
Step 1: Shape and Bake the Tater Tot Cones
First, preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper—trust me, this will make clean-up a breeze. Let the tater tots soften at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes so they’re easier to handle. Using either cone molds or homemade foil forms (just wrap foil around a cone-shaped object and remove it!), press the tater tots around the outside to create even layers. Give them a little snug press—this ensures your cones won’t crumble. Pop them in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’re looking for deep golden brown, ultra-crispy shells that hold together when you lift them up. They’ll become the ultimate vessel for your cheeseburger surprise!
Step 2: Prepare the Cheeseburger Filling
While your tater cones are working their magic, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Break up the beef as it browns and becomes deeply savory—this usually takes about 7 to 9 minutes. Don’t rush this step! Once your beef is perfectly crumbled and no longer pink, stir in the diced onions, pickles, ketchup, and yellow mustard. Let everything cook for an additional 2 minutes so the flavors meld and the veggies soften just a touch.
Step 3: Whip Up the Colossal Cheese Volcano
No Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones with Colossal Cheese Volcano are complete without a cheese eruption! Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in the flour. Cook, stirring, for about 1 minute—this gets rid of that raw flour taste and creates a smooth base. Gradually whisk in the milk until it thickens, which should take just a few minutes. Lower the heat and stir in your shredded cheddar and smoked paprika until you have a luscious, totally smooth cheese sauce. Taste and add a pinch of salt if needed—you want it irresistibly bold.
Step 4: Fill, Drizzle, and Garnish
Carefully remove the tater tot cones from their molds—they’ll be piping hot, so let them cool slightly, just enough to handle. Stand each cone upright and spoon in the beefy cheeseburger mixture, packing it gently so every bite is loaded. Now, it’s showtime: generously pour that molten cheese volcano over the top, letting it drip and ooze down each cone. Finish with a sprinkle of chopped green onions for freshness and color, then serve immediately. At this point, resisting the urge to take a photo is totally optional.
How to Serve Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones with Colossal Cheese Volcano
Garnishes
Nothing says “ultimate cheeseburger” like heaps of bright, fresh garnishes. I love a handful of chopped green onions for their zippy crunch and burst of color, but don’t stop there—add a sprinkle of extra cheddar, diced tomatoes, or even crispy bacon bits if you want to take things over the top. These little details really make your Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones with Colossal Cheese Volcano look as amazing as they taste.
Side Dishes
With so much flavor packed into every cone, simple sides work best. Serve with a crisp green salad or classic coleslaw to cut through the richness, or keep it fun with extra tater tots for dipping. If you want to really lean into the party vibe, set out bowls of pickles, sliced jalapeños, or sweet potato fries alongside your cheeseburger cones—these easy sides always get rave reviews!
Creative Ways to Present
Let the dramatic reveal be part of the fun! Arrange the Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones with Colossal Cheese Volcano upright in a shallow tray filled with crumpled parchment for easy grabbing, or stick each cone handle-first into a glass for a playful display. For parties, offer small cups of extra cheese sauce on the side for dunking. At family dinners, let everyone personalize with their favorite toppings—it’s a guaranteed smile-maker every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Got extra cones? Wrap them tightly in foil or an airtight container and pop them in the fridge. The cones and cheeseburger filling will hold up for up to 3 days, though they’re always best when freshly sauced and crisped up. Keep the cheese volcano sauce in a separate container to prevent the cones from getting soggy—this also helps you reheat to melty perfection!
Freezing
The tater tot cones themselves actually freeze beautifully! Cool them completely, then wrap individually and stash in a freezer bag for up to two months. For the filling, let it cool and store separately in a freezer-safe container. I don’t recommend freezing the cheese sauce as it can lose its luscious texture, but everything else can easily be made ahead and tucked away for emergency fun-meals.
Reheating
To get your Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones with Colossal Cheese Volcano just-right after storing, warm the cones in the oven or air fryer at 375°F for 8-10 minutes to revive their crispiness. Heat the cheeseburger filling in a skillet or the microwave until piping hot, then reassemble the cones. For the cheese volcano, warm gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk, stirring until smooth before drizzling generously over the cones.
FAQs
Can I use a different meat for the filling?
Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles make fantastic stand-ins for beef. Just adjust your cooking time as needed, and taste the filling to ensure it pops with flavor. The rest of the Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones with Colossal Cheese Volcano recipe stays deliciously the same.
What if I don’t have cone molds?
No fancy molds required! Simply wrap aluminum foil around a cone-shaped object (think: a sugar cone, or even a funnel), then remove the object and spray the foil with nonstick spray. Press the tater tots onto the foil form and bake as instructed. It’s all about creativity in the kitchen!
Can I make these ahead of time for a party?
You sure can—assemble and bake the tater tot cones, prep the filling, and store everything separately. Just rewarm, stuff, and unleash your cheese volcano before serving. Your guests will be amazed at your planning skills (and blown away by the final result).
Is there a lighter version of this recipe?
If you want to lighten things up, try using reduced-fat cheese, lean ground meat, and bake the cones instead of air frying them for extra crispiness with less oil. You’ll still enjoy the signature flavors and fun of Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones with Colossal Cheese Volcano, but with a lighter touch.
Can I make mini cones for appetizers?
Absolutely! Just use smaller molds (even shot glasses wrapped in foil work) and reduce bake time a bit. The mini versions are perfect for party platters, and everyone will love their personal-sized volcano of cheese. It’s an easy way to double the fun, no utensils required!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to bring playfulness, comfort, and big, bold flavors to your next meal, you’ve got to give Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones with Colossal Cheese Volcano a whirl. They’re outrageously fun, surprisingly simple, and let you enjoy all the goodness of a cheeseburger—right down to the last molten-cheese drop. Grab your tater tots, invite your favorite people, and make some edible memories tonight!
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Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones with Colossal Cheese Volcano Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 cones
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking and Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones with a Colossal Cheese Volcano are a fun and delicious twist on classic cheeseburgers. Crispy tater tot cones filled with a savory cheeseburger mixture and topped with a gooey cheese sauce create a show-stopping dish that is perfect for parties or a unique family dinner.
Ingredients
Tater Tot Cones:
- 4 cups frozen tater tots
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Cheeseburger Filling:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup diced onions
- ½ cup diced pickles
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
Cheese Sauce:
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
Garnish:
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare Tater Tot Cones: Thaw the tater tots slightly and press them into cone molds or around greased foil cone forms. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Prepare Cheeseburger Filling: Brown ground beef with seasonings in a skillet. Add onions, pickles, ketchup, and mustard. Cook for 2 more minutes.
- Make Cheese Sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour, add milk, cheddar, and smoked paprika. Stir until smooth.
- Assemble: Fill each tater tot cone with the cheeseburger mixture. Drizzle with cheese sauce for a volcano effect. Garnish with green onions and serve.
Notes
- You can make the tater tot cones ahead of time and reheat in the oven.
- For extra crispiness, air fry the cones before stuffing.
- Customize the filling with bacon bits or jalapeños for added flavor.
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