Cheeseburger-inspired casserole featuring ground beef, cheese, pasta, and golden tater tots in a single pan.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Pasta
04 - 8 ounces uncooked short pasta (such as rotini or penne)
→ Sauces & Liquids
05 - 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
06 - 1 cup beef broth
07 - 1/4 cup ketchup
08 - 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
09 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
→ Spices & Seasonings
10 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
→ Dairy & Cheese
14 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
15 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
→ Toppings
16 - 2 cups frozen tater tots
17 - 1/4 cup sliced green onions, optional
18 - 2 tablespoons chopped pickles, optional
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - In a large oven-safe skillet or casserole dish over medium heat, cook the ground beef until thoroughly browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in uncooked pasta, diced tomatoes with juices, beef broth, ketchup, yellow mustard, tomato paste, kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is just al dente.
06 - Remove skillet from heat. Stir in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese and all of the mozzarella cheese until fully melted and incorporated into the mixture.
07 - Arrange frozen tater tots evenly across the top of the pasta mixture. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the tater tots.
08 - Transfer the skillet or dish to the oven and bake, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes, until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
09 - Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and chopped pickles if desired. Serve hot.
