Description
Tater Tot Pizza Casserole combines the comforting flavors of a classic pizza with the crispy delight of tater tots. Ground beef cooked with onions and seasoned pizza sauce forms the savory base, topped with mozzarella, pepperoni, and optional veggies, all baked to golden perfection. An easy, kid-friendly dinner that brings all the best pizza flavors in a hearty casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cups pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
Optional Toppings
- Sliced black olives
- Diced green peppers
- Mushrooms
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Simmer Sauce Mixture: Stir in the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the cooked beef and onion. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes to blend the flavors well.
- Assemble Base Layer: Spread the meat and sauce mixture evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish to form the casserole’s base.
- Add First Cheese Layer: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the meat mixture.
- Add Pepperoni and Optional Toppings: Layer the mini pepperoni slices and any optional toppings like olives, green peppers, or mushrooms over the cheese.
- Top with Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the entire casserole for a crispy top layer.
- Bake the Casserole: Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Add Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese on top of the crispy tater tots and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool slightly before serving to allow it to set and to avoid burns.
Notes
- For a healthier option, use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey.
- Feel free to customize toppings with your favorite pizza ingredients like bell peppers, jalapeños, or mushrooms.
- Frozen tater tots can be substituted with homemade crispy potato bites if preferred.
- Ensure to drain excess fat from the cooked beef to prevent the casserole from becoming too greasy.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
