Spicy Italian Sausage & Mushroom Tater Tot Casserole: Your New One-Pan Family Favorite
Give your traditional tater tot casserole a vibrant, spicy Italian twist! This comforting one-pot meal, featuring savory Italian sausage, rich tomatoes, and perfectly marinated mushrooms, is guaranteed to become a new favorite for the whole family. It’s an effortlessly delicious dish that brings bold flavors and minimal cleanup to your weeknight table.
The humble tater tot casserole holds a special place in many American kitchens, often passed down through generations. Most families have their own beloved version, typically centered around ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, and a medley of vegetables. While these classic recipes are undeniably comforting, sometimes it’s fun to shake things up and infuse a familiar favorite with exciting new flavors. That’s exactly what we’ve done with this incredible Spicy Italian Sausage and Mushroom Tater Tot Casserole.
Our traditional tater tot casserole recipe typically features ground beef, canned mushrooms, green beans, and a creamy mushroom sauce. This updated rendition takes a flavorful detour, getting its irresistible kick and depth from savory Italian sausage, a hint of red pepper flakes, and the star ingredient: organic marinated mushrooms from Paisley Farm. These marinated mushrooms truly elevate the dish, adding a burst of tangy, garlicky, and herbaceous notes that perfectly complement the robust Italian flavors.
This post is proudly sponsored by Paisley Farm Foods. My enthusiasm for their exceptional products and the opinions shared in this post are entirely my own.
Transforming Tater Tot Casserole with an Italian Twist
When considering how to elevate the classic tater tot casserole, the distinct flavors of Paisley Farm Organic Marinated Mushrooms immediately pointed us toward an Italian-inspired direction. Their delightful blend of vinegar tang, spicy garlic, and aromatic oregano makes them a natural fit. We swapped out the green beans, a staple in many traditional casseroles, for diced tomatoes, which add a vibrant acidity and sweetness. Fresh basil joins the party, enhancing the aromatic profile, and creamy Mozzarella cheese takes the place of cheddar, offering a meltier, milder dairy note that harmonizes beautifully with the Italian components.
This Italian-inspired twist not only refreshes a timeless dish but also introduces a sophisticated layer of flavor that will impress even the most discerning palates. It’s the kind of comfort food that feels both familiar and excitingly new, perfect for a cozy family dinner or entertaining guests.
One of the best features of this recipe is its versatility and convenience. You can effortlessly prepare this delicious casserole in a standard 9×13 baking dish. However, for an even easier cleanup and fantastic presentation, we highly recommend making it all in your trusty cast iron skillet. The skillet goes straight from the stovetop to the oven, meaning fewer dishes and more time to enjoy your meal!
Essential Ingredients for This Spicy Italian Tater Tot Casserole
To create this sensational one-pan meal, you’ll need a carefully selected list of ingredients that balance heat, savoriness, and comfort. Here’s what goes into our Spicy Tater Tot Casserole with Sausage & Mushrooms:
- Italian Sausage: The flavorful base that brings a delicious savory and often spicy punch.
- Green Onion: Adds a fresh, mild onion flavor that brightens the dish.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Allows you to customize the level of heat to your preference.
- Paisley Farm Organic Marinated Mushrooms: The secret ingredient that infuses the casserole with a rich, tangy, and garlicky depth.
- Basil: Fresh or dried, it adds that quintessential Italian aromatic note.
- Canned Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes provide a pleasant acidity and juiciness to the hearty base.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: The classic creamy binder that ties all the ingredients together, creating a luscious texture.
- Mozzarella Cheese: For a delightful, gooey, melty top layer that stretches with every bite.
- Tater Tots: The crispy, golden crown of the casserole, offering a satisfying texture contrast.
For the precise measurements and detailed instructions, you will find the complete, printable recipe card towards the bottom of this post.
Let’s get cooking! The first step is to establish the foundation of flavor for your casserole. Begin by browning your ground Italian sausage in your skillet or baking dish. As the sausage cooks, add the bottom white and light green parts of the green onions and the red pepper flakes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully, infusing the sausage with a mild oniony note and a customizable level of heat.
A great tip for this dish is that you have full control over the spice level. If you prefer a milder casserole, use fewer red pepper flakes or opt for a mild Italian sausage. For those who enjoy a fiery kick, simply increase the amount of red pepper flakes or choose a spicy Italian sausage from the start. For this particular recipe, we used a mild Italian sausage, relying on the red pepper flakes for adjustable heat.
If you’re having trouble finding ground Italian sausage, don’t fret! Many grocery stores carry Italian sausage in link form. Simply remove the casings from the links, and you’ll have perfectly usable ground sausage for your recipe.
Once the sausage is about halfway cooked, it’s time to introduce the wonderful Paisley Farm Organic Marinated Mushrooms. For optimal texture and integration into the casserole, we recommend quartering any larger mushrooms and halving the smaller ones. We drained the liquid from the mushrooms but purposefully did not rinse them. That “zip” from the marinade in the jar is packed with incredible flavor – vinegar, garlic, and spices – and we want to preserve every drop of that delicious essence in our casserole! Rinsing would wash away much of that precious garlic and tang.
However, if you prefer a milder mushroom flavor or wish to lessen the pickling notes, feel free to give them a quick rinse under cold water. If you do rinse them, we suggest adding a clove or two of minced garlic to the cooking sausage to ensure the dish doesn’t lose its aromatic depth.
Continue cooking the sausage and mushrooms until the meat is fully browned and cooked through. Next, add the diced tomatoes and basil to the skillet, stirring everything together to combine. The tomatoes will release their juices, creating a delicious base. Finally, stir in the cream of mushroom soup, ensuring it’s well incorporated into the meat and vegetable mixture. This creates the rich, creamy sauce that will bind all the delightful ingredients together. Remove the skillet from the heat, and you’re ready for the next exciting step.
Here comes the incredibly satisfying CHEESE layer! Once your flavorful meat and mushroom mixture is evenly spread across the bottom of the skillet, it’s time to generously top it with freshly shredded Mozzarella cheese. This isn’t just any cheese; it’s the key to achieving that perfect gooey, stretchy, and utterly delicious casserole experience. But why go through the “trouble” of shredding your own cheese when pre-shredded bags are so convenient?
The Undeniable Advantages of Grating Your Own Cheese
While bagged shredded cheese might seem like a time-saver, there are compelling reasons why grating your own from a block is superior, both in taste and performance:
- Superior Taste and Purity: Block cheese contains no added chemicals or anti-caking agents that are often found in pre-shredded varieties. These additives, used to prevent clumping and extend shelf life, can subtly alter the flavor. When you shred your own, you’re enjoying the pure, fresh, and authentic taste of the cheese, exactly as it was meant to be.
- Achieves a Creamier Melt: The anti-caking agents and starches added to pre-shredded cheese can inhibit its ability to melt smoothly and evenly. These additives act as a barrier, preventing the cheese from achieving that creamy, luscious texture you crave in a casserole. Freshly grated cheese, however, melts beautifully, creating a silky, gooey layer that truly enhances the dish.
- More Economical in the Long Run: Don’t let the price tag fool you. An 8-ounce block of cheese might seem similar in price to an 8-ounce bag, but you actually get more usable cheese from the block. The fillers and starches in bagged cheese take up space, meaning you’re paying for less actual cheese. Plus, the convenience of pre-shredded comes with a hidden “convenience charge.” Investing in a block and taking a minute to grate it yourself is a smart financial move that yields better results.
Finally, the pièce de résistance: the tater tots! Carefully arrange the tater tots in an even layer over the cheesy meat mixture. Whether you prefer the classic regular-sized tots, the convenient mini tater tots, or even potato rounds, any variety will work wonderfully to create that irresistibly crispy top. We personally lean towards the mini tater tots for their slightly faster cooking time and uniform crunch, but feel free to use your favorite.
(On a related note – does anyone else instantly hear Napoleon Dynamite exclaim “Tots!” every time this glorious potato form factor is mentioned? You’re not alone!)
Pop your skillet (or baking dish) into the preheated oven and let the magic happen. In approximately 40 minutes, your kitchen will be filled with an enticing aroma, and your casserole will emerge golden brown and bubbling. The tater tots will be perfectly crisp and golden on top, providing a delightful textural contrast to the hot, savory filling beneath. The sides of the casserole will be visibly bubbling, a sure sign that it’s cooked through and ready to be devoured.
Before serving, a final flourish truly completes this dish. Sprinkle the reserved green tops of the green onions over the hot casserole. This adds a pop of fresh color, a mild oniony bite, and a touch of vibrancy that makes each spoonful even more appealing. Serve it piping hot directly from the skillet, allowing everyone to savor the delicious layers of flavor and texture in this irresistible Italian-inspired tater tot casserole.
^Love This Recipe? Pin it for Later!^
Don’t let this incredible recipe get lost in the digital shuffle! Make sure to save it for future meal planning by pinning it to your favorite Pinterest board. It’s the perfect way to remember this delicious one-pan wonder for busy weeknights or whenever you’re craving a taste of Italy with a comforting twist!
Discover the Versatility of Paisley Farm Organic Marinated Mushrooms
Since 1945, Paisley Farm Foods has been dedicated to bringing fresh, high-quality ingredients from the farm to the jar and onto your family’s table. Their Organic Marinated Mushrooms are a shining example of this commitment, and they are a beloved staple in our home. These mushrooms are incredibly convenient; they are perfectly seasoned and ready to eat straight from the jar, making them a fantastic last-minute addition to any meal or gathering. Beyond their starring role in this casserole, they truly shine in various applications.
Imagine them as a delightful addition to an antipasto platter or charcuterie board, their tangy flavor offering a wonderful contrast to cured meats and cheeses. They’re also superb on appetizer skewers, like these tantalizing Italian Chicken & Mushroom Appetizers, where their zesty marinade truly comes through. Toss them into a fresh green salad for an instant flavor boost, or simply serve them as an elegant and effortless side dish.
They beautifully accompanied these succulent herb butter filet mignons, proving their versatility in pairing with gourmet dishes. But as we’ve demonstrated today, these flavor-packed mushrooms are also an excellent ingredient to incorporate directly into recipes, adding a depth and zest that’s hard to achieve otherwise, just like in our Spicy Tater Tot Casserole with Sausage & Mushrooms.
Indeed, Paisley Farm Marinated Mushrooms give our beloved Chicken, Mushroom, and Wild Rice Soup a serious burst of savory, tangy flavor, transforming a simple soup into something truly extraordinary. Their pre-seasoned nature means less work for you, while delivering maximum impact.
And for burger aficionados, you absolutely must try the Green Chile Mushroom Burgers, where the patties themselves are stuffed with these delectable mushrooms. It’s a flavor explosion that is truly AMAZING and a testament to the versatility of Paisley Farm products!
Where to Stock Up on Paisley Farm Organic Marinated Mushrooms
Exciting news for fans of Paisley Farm! Costco has recently started carrying Paisley Farm Organic Marinated Mushrooms, making it even easier to get your hands on these fantastic ingredients. However, please note that they are often a seasonal item at Costco, so if you spot them, be sure to stock up! Beyond Costco, you can also find a variety of Paisley Farm products at Kroger stores and Sam’s Club. To locate all the stores that carry their extensive range of products, and to discover even more wonderful recipes, visit the user-friendly Paisley Farm Website.
Don’t forget to connect with Paisley Farm on social media to stay updated on new products, recipe ideas, and promotions! You can follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Are You a Dedicated Fan of “The Tots”? Explore More Tater Tot Casserole Recipes!
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re already a connoisseur of all things tater tot, and this Spicy Italian Sausage & Mushroom Tater Tot Casserole has surely piqued your interest! But the tater tot possibilities don’t end here. We have a variety of other beloved tater tot casserole recipes that are just as comforting and creative.
Naturally, our original Classic Tater Tot Casserole remains a cherished family favorite, bringing back nostalgic flavors with every bite. For a fun and exciting twist on Taco Tuesday, our zesty Taco Tot Casserole is a vibrant and flavorful option that’s sure to be a hit. And for those who, like us, adore the distinctive tang of sauerkraut, you absolutely must try our hearty Beef & Kraut Tater Tot Casserole. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to experience tater tots in a whole new way, these incredible Reuben Sheet Pan Totchos – a brilliant combination of tater tots and nachos – will truly rock your world with their unique and delicious flavors!
Explore ALL of Our Irresistible Casserole Recipes Here
Well, with all these enticing details and a promise of a delicious, easy meal, I think it’s high time you gathered your ingredients and whipped up this fantastic Spicy Italian Sausage & Mushroom Tater Tot Casserole! Happy cooking, and enjoy every flavorful bite! 
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Print Recipe
Spicy Tater Tot Casserole with Sausage & Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 4 green onions sliced, divided into tops and bottoms.
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup Paisley Farm Organic Mushrooms drained of liquid, halved or quartered
- 1 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 teaspoons basil
- 1 10.5 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 8 ounce block of Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 28 ounce bag tater tots
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
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In a cast iron skillet, brown sausage with pepper flakes and the bottoms of the green onions.
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When sausage is about halfway done, add in mushrooms. Cook until meat is done.
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Add in tomatoes and basil. Mix to combine.
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Stir in cream of mushroom soup. Remove from heat.
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Spread mixture evenly into the bottom of the skillet. Top with shredded Mozzarella cheese.
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Spread tater tots evenly over the top.
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Bake for 40 minutes or until the tater tots are crisp and golden brown.
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Top with tops of green onions.
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Serve hot from the skillet.
Notes
You can prepare this casserole in a 9×10 baking dish instead of the skillet if desired.
Control the spiciness by adding more or less red pepper flakes. We like our Italian sausage spicy.
Nutrition