Description
A hearty and comforting casserole that combines ground beef, tater tots, and cheese for a filling weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (You can use ground turkey or Italian sausage as alternatives.)
- 1 small onion, diced (Adds flavor to the beef mixture.)
- 2 cups marinara sauce (Ensure it’s not too watery for best results.)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- to taste salt and pepper (Adjust according to your preference.)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (Can substitute with other melting cheeses.)
- 32 oz frozen tater tots (Use straight from the freezer without thawing.)
Optional Toppings
- to taste pepperoni (Add these near the end to prevent overcooking.)
- to taste olives
- to taste bell pepper
- to taste green onions
- to taste mushrooms
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until browned and onions are soft, about 5-7 minutes.
- Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the skillet; stir and let simmer for a couple of minutes.
Assembly
- Spread the beef and sauce mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the beef mixture.
- Arrange the tater tots in a single layer over the cheese and beef mixture.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the tater tots.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until tater tots are golden and cheese is bubbly.
- Add optional toppings and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
Serving
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
- Serve family-style, allowing people to help themselves.
Notes
Consider serving with a crisp green salad or carrot sticks. Leftovers can be reheated easily, and the casserole can be frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: American