Description
This Tater Tot Pizza Casserole is a delicious and comforting baked dish combining seasoned ground beef, pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and crispy tater tots. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a kid-friendly meal, it brings the flavors of pizza together in a hearty casserole form that’s sure to satisfy the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups pizza sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheeses and Toppings
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup sliced pepperoni
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Main Base
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
Garnish
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook beef and onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together until the beef is browned and cooked through, about 7–8 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, then drain any excess fat.
- Add sauce and seasonings: Stir in the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Let the mixture simmer for 2–3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread the beef mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat layer. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese.
- Bake the base layer: Place the dish uncovered in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Add remaining toppings: Take the casserole out of the oven and top with the remaining mozzarella cheese, pepperoni slices, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Final bake: Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 5–7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired, and serve hot for a comforting, tasty meal.
Notes
- Customize with your favorite pizza toppings like bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives for extra flavor and variety.
- For a spicier version, substitute ground beef with hot Italian sausage.
- Make sure to drain excess fat after cooking the meat to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Use fresh herbs like basil or parsley for a fresh and vibrant garnish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 940mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
