the Breville Test Kitchen
Veggie Loaded Tater Tots
This is a winning combination of an easy Bolognese-style sauce topped with tater tots and cheese. Adults and kids will love it even if they don’t realize there're hidden veggies in it. If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, you can use a shallow casserole dish or ovenproof pan. If you like to plan ahead, make the sauce and keep it in the fridge, and top with the tater tots just before cooking.

the Smart Oven® Air Fryer Pro
1 hr total time
15 mins active time
Easy
Serves 4
Ingredients
Measurements:
4 oz baby bella mushrooms
¼ small (4 oz) cauliflowercoarsely chopped
1 large zucchinicoarsely chopped
1 medium carrotcoarsely chopped
1 yellow onioncoarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic
2 tbsp olive oil
1 lb ground beef
2 tbsp tomato paste
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1½ tsp kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepperto season
2 lb frozen tater tots
1 cup (3½ oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
Chopped flat-leaf parsleyto serve (optional)
Instructions
- 1Place the mushrooms, cauliflower, zucchini and carrot in a food processor bowl. Pulse until finely chopped, scrapping down the side as needed. Transfer to a bowl. Add the onion and garlic to the processor and pulse until finely chopped scrapping down the side. Alternatively, finely chop by hand.
- 2Heat the oil in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring for 3 minutes, or until soft.
- 3Increase the heat to high, add the beef and cook, stirring to break up the lumps, for 3 minutes, or until browned.
- 4Add the chopped vegetables and tomato paste and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until reduced slightly. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Meanwhile, continue to the next step.
- 5Insert the wire rack into position 6. Set the oven to Air Fry, Super Convection, 375°F, for 28 minutes, confirm Rotate Remind and press Start to preheat. Meanwhile, continue to the next step.
- 6Using a spatula, level the top of the casserole and place the tater tots on top.
- 7Once preheated, place the skillet in the oven and cook for 28 minutes. When the Rotate Remind signals, sprinkle with the mozzarella and continue cooking.
- 8The tater tots should be browned and crisp. If not, cook it a little longer.
- 9Sprinkle with the parsley and serve.