I am always looking for easy ways to use up leftovers. Today I have a delicious quick and easy recipe for Leftover Pulled Pork Casserole.
This Pulled Pork Casserole is a great way to breathe new life into your leftovers while creating a comforting and flavorful dish that the whole family will love.
In the summertime, Smoking a Pork Butt in an Electric Smoker and serving it with this Homemade Apricot Barbeque Sauce is one of our go-to meals.
It's a pretty hands-off meal that makes plenty of leftovers, giving me a jump start on meals for busy weeknights.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- This delicious casserole is an excellent way to repurpose leftover pulled pork, transforming it into a brand-new, exciting dish.
- With simple instructions and readily available ingredients, this casserole is easy to prepare.
- Feel free to add your own twist to this casserole by incorporating additional vegetables and spices for amazing flavor.
- This dish is a crowd-pleaser that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. It's a perfect option for weeknight dinners or a potluck gathering.
Looking for more ways to use up pork leftovers? Try one of these recipes: Roasted Pork Stroganoff, BBQ Pork Potato Skins, Winter Pork Stew, Pulled Pork Tacos, and Pork and Pumpkin Stew.
Recipe Ingredients
All you need are a few simple ingredients to make this Leftover Pulled Pork Casserole.
Pulled Pork: Use leftover pulled pork or purchase a tub of already prepared pulled pork from the grocery store.
Sour Cream: Sour cream adds a wonderful creaminess and adds just a little bit of tang that helps cut through the richness of the dish.
Bell Peppers: Use any color of bell pepper; green, red, orange, or yellow.
Black Beans: Add extra protein and make the casserole more filling. Drain and rinse canned beans before adding them.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melts over the tater tots for a cheesy finish. Sharp cheddar adds a little extra flavor.
Green Chiles, Chili Powder, and Cumin: Add delicious flavor and a little spice with these popular Mexican ingredients.
Tater Tots: Tater tots are the perfect way to add a delicious crispy crust to this easy casserole.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions and Variations
Leftover Shredded Pork: If you don't have any leftover pulled pork you could also substitute shredded chicken or shredded beef.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: No cheddar cheese? This casserole will also taste great with shredded Monterey jack cheese, pepper jack cheese for a little extra heat, Colby jack cheese, or mozzarella cheese.
Black Beans: No black beans? Go ahead and use kidney beans or pinto beans.
Green Onions: No green onions try these amazing Quick Pickled Red Onions.
Like it spicy? Add some chopped jalapeno peppers or a dash of hot sauce before baking or serve with a little salsa verde or pico de gallo.
Prefer it mild? Omit the chili powder and green chiles.
Feeding a crowd? You can try doubling the ingredients and using a 9×13-inch baking dish. The baking time may need to be adjusted. Make sure the filling reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving.
To stretch this dish even further, you can add a can of drained diced tomatoes or some frozen corn.
Step by Step Directions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the leftover pulled pork, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, drained black beans, diced bell pepper, green chiles, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
Step 2: Stir well to ensure all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Step 3: Transfer the mixture into a greased 8x8-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Step 4: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the entire casserole, covering it completely.
Step 5: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the filling is heated through. Leftover pork should reach 165°F (74°C) when reheated.
Step 6: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle additional shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots. Return to the oven for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
Allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Step 7: Serve garnished with your favorite toppings.
Serving Suggestions
This easy pork casserole recipe is a great one-dish meal since it includes meat, vegetables, and carbohydrates all in one single dish!
If you are looking for a few side dish options check out these collections of Side Dishes for Pork Tacos or Side Dishes for Pulled Pork.
Storage
Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
To freeze: Allow the casserole to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe airtight container. Freeze for up to three months for best quality. Keep in mind that the tater tots may lose some of their crispiness after freezing and reheating.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Heat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Remember to label the container with the date and contents so you know what's in your freezer.
To thaw: Place frozen casserole in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
To reheat: Individual portions can be reheated in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. For a crispier tater tot topping, reheat the casserole in a 350°F (175°C) oven until hot throughout. Reheated leftovers should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Check out this post on Storing and Reheating Pulled Pork for more information.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, Assemble the casserole, cover it with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to two days. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and uncover about 30 minutes before baking. The casserole may need to bake for slightly longer. Bake until the center reaches 165°F (74°C).
You can try freezing the assembled casserole before baking. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, label it with the date and freeze for up to three months for best quality. Thaw it completely in the refrigerator before baking. The tater tots may not become quite as crispy as they would when baked from frozen.
I haven't personally tested freezing this casserole, so I recommend preparing it fresh for the best results.
Nope. We want speed and convivence for this recipe. Go ahead and use the tater tots straight out of the freezer.
Expert Tips
- Use leftover pulled pork or purchase a tub of already prepared pulled pork from the grocery store.
- Freshly shredded cheese generallly melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese can contain anti-caking ingredients that affect its texture when melted.
- Like it spicy? Add some chopped jalapeno peppers or a dash of hot sauce before baking or serve with a little salsa verde or pico de gallo.
- Prefer it mild? Omit the chili powder and green chiles.
More Easy Dinners
Thanks for Reading!
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📖 Recipe
Pulled Pork Casserole with Tater Tots
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- 8x8 baking dish
Ingredients
- 2 cups of leftover pulled pork
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 1 4 oz can green chiles
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups frozen tater tots
Topping
- additional shredded cheddar cheese to taste
- green onions
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the 2 cups of leftover pulled pork, 1 cup sour cream, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 15 oz can black beans, 1 bell pepper, 1 4 oz can green chiles, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Transfer the mixture into a greased 8x8-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Arrange the 2 cups frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the pork mixture, covering it completely.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the filling is heated through. Leftover pork should reach 165°F (74°C) when reheated.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle additional shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots. Return to the oven for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
- Allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve garnished with your favorite toppings.
Mary says
Great way to use leftover pulled pork. Family loved it!
Erica Schramek says
I am so glad you enjoyed it!