You heard that right. Grab your tater tots- it’s their time to shine. This Savory Tater Tot Casserole is one you need to try. It’s perfect for any time of year and is all cooked in one pan! Limited mess and a well balanced meal, what more could you need?
If you have read any of my other recipes you know my favorite thing is when you can add ingredients that you like without ruining the dish. Well, wouldn’t you know it? Here’s another one.
Let’s take a look at some of the main characters (ingredients) you’ll find in this Savory Tater Tot recipe. Pick and choose what works for you and you will be well on your way to a dinner that everyone can enjoy!
Ground Beef (or Bison): I used ground beef the first two times making this and when I switched to bison, I didn’t really notice a difference. If you’re unfamiliar with ground bison, you can usually find it at a local grocery store next to the ground beef. The reason I like it is because it is a leaner red meat and bison are grass-fed.
Zucchini: This vegetable really is the unsung hero in this recipe. It provided the extra juice for the meat and those juices mixed with the tad bit of flour makes for a thicker juice while providing color and texture. Some people say to shred or mince the zucchini, but I just cut them into quarters and it was amazing!
Corn: Corn is just good, alright? I used a frozen bag but you can use pretty much anything. It definitely adds color and gives just the right amount of crunch to the recipe.
Tomatoes: More color and since you’re putting tomatoes into cook and then on top at the end, you’ve got a mixture of baked, flavorful tomato juices plus the crunch of the tomatoes on top. Some recipes call for tomatoes quartered, but I just used grape tomatoes and sliced them into halves.
Onions: This guy is completely for flavor. It’s the first thing I put in the pan and then add the beef a couple minutes after they’ve started. Leave them out if you must but they will definitely add flavor.
Tater Tots: This is the MVP of the recipe. Tater tots for dinner? You’re welcome. You can add these on top but one thing to note: If you do not cook them long enough and/or spray them, they will be mushy. And some people like that, alright? But if you don’t, you’ll want to make sure you spray them with a cooking spray (I use avocado oil) or cook them for the full time in the recipe.
Cheese: This is of course optional but it adds so much. It brings the casserole together and tastes wonderful mixed in with the veggies and beef. Just remember, the recipe will call for half of the cup to be added before putting it in the oven, and then you add the rest toward the end of the cooking time!
Savory Tater Tot Casserole
Equipment
- 1 Cast Iron Skillet Or any oven safe skillet
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground bison
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes or grape tomatoes ½ before oven, ½ at the end
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder- Optional
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup shredded cheese I used Mexican, ½ before oven, ½ at the end
- Roughly 2 cups frozen Tater Tots
- Spray Oil Olive Oil, Avocado, or any cooking spray
- Garnish Chives - Optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450˚ F.
- Heat up the oil first and then add the ground beef and onions to your oven safe skillet.
- Once the meat is turning brown, add in the zucchini, corn, and ½ of the tomatoes along with the worcestershire sauce, chili powder, garlic powder (optional), and salt.
- Once the zucchini start to soften (you’ll see juices starting to release), then you’ll add the flour and stir.
- After about one minute, take a spoon or spatula and flatten out the mixture so it is evenly distributed in the skillet.
- Add a ½ cup of the shredded cheese, sprinkling it evenly across the top.
- Then, add your tater tots.
- Spray the tater tots with oil so they can get crunchy in the oven.
- Place the skillet in the oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes.
- Remove and add the rest of the cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and the tater tots are golden brown/crispy.
- Add the remaining ½ cup of tomatoes (if desired) and finish by garnishing with chopped or dried chives (if desired.)
