Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup grated carrot (about 1 large carrot)
- 1½ cups grated zucchini (about 1 small zucchini)
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 cups frozen riced cauliflower
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (or coconut aminos for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
- 1½ cups low-sodium beef broth (or low-sodium chicken broth)
- 1½ cups frozen peas
- 24 ounces frozen tater tots (ensure gluten-free if needed)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Heat the oven to 400℉. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. If you have a large oven-safe skillet, you can bake the casserole in it to save dishes.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Add finely chopped onion, grated carrot, and grated zucchini. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it into crumbles, until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Season Meat and Vegetables: Season the mixture with kosher salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme.
- Add Cauliflower and Flavorings: Stir in frozen riced cauliflower, Worcestershire sauce (or coconut aminos), and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute to combine all flavors well.
- Prepare Sauce: Whisk cornstarch into the low-sodium broth to eliminate clumps. Stir this broth mixture into the skillet and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.
- Incorporate Peas: Stir in frozen peas, then transfer the entire beef and vegetable mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly.
- Top with Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in rows over the top of the mixture, covering the surface evenly.
- Bake Casserole: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the tater tots are browned and crispy on top.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to sit for 5 minutes after baking before serving to let the flavors settle and the casserole firm up slightly.
Notes
- Make sure to use gluten-free certified tater tots if preparing this dish gluten-free.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based ground meat or cooked lentils.
- You can prepare the filling a day ahead and assemble just before baking for convenience.
- For thicker sauce without cornstarch, reduce broth amount slightly to your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
