Description
If you love pizza and tater tots, you’re in for a treat! This Pizza Tot Casserole combines the best of both worlds—crispy tater tots, savory pizza toppings, and gooey cheese, all baked together in one hearty dish. It’s the perfect meal for family dinners, game nights, or anytime you need something quick, easy, and delicious.
Ingredients
- Frozen tater tots: 1 bag (about 32 oz / 900g)
- Ground beef or sausage: 1 lb (450g) ground beef or sausage
- Pizza sauce: 1 cup (240ml)
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: 2 cups (8 oz / 225g)
- Pepperoni: 1 cup (about 50g), or your favorite pizza toppings (e.g., olives, cooked bacon)
- Bell peppers, onions, mushrooms (optional): 1/2 cup each, chopped
- Garlic powder: 1 tsp
- Onion powder: 1 tsp
- Italian seasoning: 1 tsp
- Salt and pepper: To taste
Instructions
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Cook the Ground Meat:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or sausage, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Drain any excess fat and set aside.
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Prepare the Casserole Base:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9×13-inch casserole dish, spread a thin layer of pizza sauce on the bottom. Then, layer the cooked ground meat evenly over the sauce. Add any optional veggies (bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms) on top of the meat.
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Add the Tater Tots:
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the meat and veggies. Don’t worry about being too perfect—uneven distribution is fine as the tots will cook evenly.
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Add the Cheese and Toppings:
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the tater tots. Add your choice of pizza toppings (e.g., pepperoni, cooked bacon, olives) and sprinkle Italian seasoning over the top for that classic pizza flavor.
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Bake and Serve:
- Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy. Once done, let the casserole cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For extra crispy tater tots, bake them separately for 10-15 minutes before assembling the casserole. Then add them to the dish and continue baking.
- To add a spicy kick, sprinkle red pepper flakes or add sliced jalapeños before baking.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with extra veggies or plant-based sausage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg