Description
A delicious and comforting casserole dish featuring crispy tater tots, ground beef, and melted mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook for about 3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
- Mix Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Assemble Casserole: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread the beef and sauce mixture. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the tater tots.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, and garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers to the beef mixture.
- You can substitute mozzarella with other cheeses like cheddar or a cheese blend.
- To make it spicier, consider adding red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño.
- If you prefer a creamier texture, add a can of cream of mushroom soup to the beef mixture before adding it to the baking dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving