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Tater Tot Pizza Casserole Recipe

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4 from 86 reviews

  • Author: admin
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

Tater Tot Pizza Casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make comfort food dish that combines the savory flavors of pizza with crispy tater tots. This recipe features a hearty ground beef and pizza sauce base, layered with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and crispy tater tots baked to golden perfection. Perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings, it offers all the tastes of a classic pizza in a convenient casserole form.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Sauce

  • 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) pizza sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Cheese and Toppings

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoni (or your favorite pizza toppings)
  • Optional: bell peppers, mushrooms, black olives, or jalapeños

Base Layer

  • 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or a light layer of oil to prevent sticking.
  2. Cook Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage until it is fully browned. Drain off any excess fat to avoid grease in the casserole.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the cooked meat in the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onions are softened and the garlic is fragrant.
  4. Add Sauce: Stir in the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and season with salt and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
  5. Assemble Layers: Spread the meat and sauce mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the meat layer.
  6. Add Toppings and Tots: Distribute the sliced pepperoni and any optional toppings evenly over the cheese layer. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top. Finally, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the tater tots.
  7. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are crispy and golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  8. Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for about 5 minutes before serving to let the layers set.

Notes

  • You can substitute Italian sausage for ground beef for a spicier, more flavorful base.
  • Feel free to customize the toppings with vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, or jalapeños to add extra flavor and texture.
  • Make sure to preheat the oven fully and grease your baking dish well to avoid sticking.
  • If you prefer a crispier topping, you can broil the casserole for 1-2 minutes after baking—watch closely to prevent burning.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

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Find it online: https://mettehelbak.com/tater-tot-pizza-casserole-recipe-2/