Pizza Tot Casserole Recipe
This Pizza Tot Casserole is a hearty, cheesy comfort dish combining classic pizza flavors with crispy tater tots. Ground beef cooked with onions simmers in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning, layered with mozzarella cheese and topped with crispy baked tater tots. Optional pizza toppings add extra flavor and customization. Perfect for a family meal or casual gathering, it offers a satisfying twist on traditional pizza with the ease of a baked casserole.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Optional Toppings
- Pepperoni
- Olives
- Bell pepper
- Green onions
- Mushrooms
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and onions are soft, about 5-7 minutes. Break up the beef with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess grease and remove the beef and onions with a slotted spoon.
- Season and Sauce: Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the skillet or back to the beef mixture. Stir and let simmer for a few minutes to meld flavors and thicken the sauce slightly.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread the beef and sauce mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the beef layer to help hold the tater tots.
- Add Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer on top of the cheese and beef mixture. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the tater tots.
- Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch closely near the end to prevent burning.
- Add Toppings (Optional): If desired, add mini pepperoni slices, olives, bell peppers, green onions, or mushrooms on top and bake for an additional 5 minutes to heat through without overcooking.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool slightly to allow cheese to set. Serve warm and enjoy this delicious pizza-flavored comfort meal.
Notes
- You can customize the casserole with your favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives.
- Using a slotted spoon to remove cooked beef helps reduce excess grease and keeps the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Let the casserole cool a few minutes before serving to help it set and slice more easily.
- If you want crispier tater tots, you can bake them separately before assembling.
- This dish reheats well and makes great leftovers for the next day.
Keywords: pizza tot casserole, tater tot casserole, easy casserole, ground beef casserole, baked casserole, kid-friendly dinner, pizza flavors, comfort food
Find it online: https://savorandsimmer.com/pizza-tot-casserole-recipe/
