Description
One-Pan Cheeseburger Tater Tot Pasta is a comforting and hearty casserole combining all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger with crispy tater tots and cheesy pasta. This easy-to-make dish simmers ground beef, pasta, and savory seasonings together before topping with tater tots and extra cheese, then baking for a crispy golden finish. Perfect for a family-friendly dinner that is both satisfying and flavorful.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions, optional
- 2 tablespoons chopped pickles, optional
Pasta and Sauces
- 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
Seasonings and Cheese
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Topping
- 2 cups frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the dish later.
- Brown the Beef: In a large oven-safe skillet or casserole dish over medium heat, cook the ground beef thoroughly, breaking it apart as it cooks, for about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 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 well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer the Mixture: Bring the skillet contents to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally, making sure the pasta is just al dente when done.
- Melt Cheese into Pasta: Remove the skillet from heat, then stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and all the mozzarella cheese. Mix until the cheese is fully melted and integrated.
- Add Tater Tots and Cheese Topping: Arrange the frozen tater tots evenly on top of the pasta mixture. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the tater tots.
- Bake until Golden: Transfer the skillet or casserole dish to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove from the oven and let the dish cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and chopped pickles if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use an oven-safe skillet or casserole dish to allow for stovetop cooking and oven baking in the same vessel.
- Opt for short pasta shapes like rotini or penne for better sauce adhesion and texture.
- Drain excess fat from the beef to avoid a greasy dish.
- If you prefer less crispy tater tots, reduce baking time slightly.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes when seasoning.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
