Description
This One-Pan Cheeseburger Tater Tot Pasta is a delicious and hearty casserole combining the rich flavors of cheeseburger ingredients with comforting pasta and crispy tater tots. Perfectly cooked in a single skillet, this dish offers an easy cleanup and a satisfying meal ideal for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces uncooked short pasta (such as rotini or penne)
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Cheeses and Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups frozen tater tots
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped pickles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the dish later.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large oven-safe skillet or casserole dish set over medium heat on the stovetop, cook the ground beef until it is thoroughly browned, breaking it up as it cooks, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté until softened, approximately 3 minutes. Then stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Pasta and Liquids: Stir in the uncooked pasta, diced tomatoes with their juices, beef broth, ketchup, yellow mustard, tomato paste, kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. Mix everything thoroughly to combine all the flavors.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cover the skillet and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is just al dente and has absorbed some of the liquid.
- Add Cheeses: Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese along with all of the shredded mozzarella cheese until the cheeses melt and are fully incorporated.
- Top with Tater Tots and Cheese: Evenly arrange the frozen tater tots over the pasta mixture. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top of the tater tots for a cheesy crust.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet or casserole dish to the preheated oven. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until the tater tots turn golden and crispy on top.
- Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and chopped pickles if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute the short pasta with your favorite small shapes like penne or fusilli.
- For extra cheesiness, mix some cheese into the pasta before topping with tater tots.
- To make it spicier, add red pepper flakes when adding the seasonings.
- If you prefer crispier tater tots, broil for the last 2-3 minutes but watch closely to avoid burning.
- Make sure the skillet is oven-safe to avoid damage during baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
