Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 jar (about 24 oz) marinara sauce
- 3 cups frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Italian seasoning or fresh herbs for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Make Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined. Form into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
- Cook Meatballs: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the meatballs for about 5-7 minutes. They don’t need to be fully cooked, as they’ll finish baking in the oven.
- Assemble Casserole: In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spread half of the marinara sauce. Layer the browned meatballs over the sauce. Pour the remaining marinara on top.
- Add Tater Tots: Evenly distribute the frozen tater tots over the meatballs and sauce.
- Cheese Layer: Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the tater tots.
- Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the tater tots are crispy and the cheese is bubbly.
- Serve: Let cool for a few minutes, then garnish with Italian seasoning or fresh herbs if desired. Serve warm.
