Pizza Tot Casserole: A Beginner’s Guide to Comfort Food Heaven

Why Make This Recipe

Pizza Tot Casserole is a fun and easy dish that combines two favorite comfort foods: pizza and tater tots. This recipe is perfect for families or anyone looking for a hearty meal that everyone will love. It’s simple to prepare and can be customized with different toppings, making it a great choice for any occasion. Plus, the warm, cheesy goodness is sure to satisfy!

How to Make Pizza Tot Casserole

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

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Make sure your oven is properly calibrated for accurate baking. An oven thermometer can be helpful.
2. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or casserole dish. This will prevent the casserole from sticking and make it easier to serve. You can also line the dish with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 5-7 minutes. Break up the ground beef with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease to prevent the casserole from being too greasy.
4. Add the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and let it simmer for a couple of minutes. This helps the flavors meld together.
5. Spread the beef and sauce mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheese over the beef mixture to help hold the tater tots in place.
6. Arrange the tater tots in a single layer over the cheese and beef mixture. You can arrange them in neat rows or scatter them randomly.
7. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top of the tater tots. This will melt and create a delicious topping.
8. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. If desired, add mini pepperoni, olives, bell peppers, or other pizza toppings over the casserole. Bake for an additional 5 minutes until heated through.
10. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.

How to Serve Pizza Tot Casserole

Serve this comforting casserole warm, straight from the oven. You can cut it into squares and serve it on plates. It’s great on its own or paired with a simple salad for a complete meal. Don’t forget to bring extra toppings to the table for people to customize their own servings!

How to Store Pizza Tot Casserole

To store leftovers, let the casserole cool completely. Place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can also freeze it for longer storage. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil before freezing.

Tips to Make Pizza Tot Casserole

• Feel free to adjust the amount of cheese to your liking; more cheese makes it even more gooey and delicious.
• You can use ground turkey or sausage instead of beef for a different flavor.
• Try adding veggies like spinach or zucchini for a healthier spin.

Variation

You can easily switch up the sauce for barbecue sauce or Alfredo sauce instead of marinara. This will change the flavor profile and give you more variety.

FAQs

1. Can I use fresh ingredients instead of frozen tater tots?
Yes, you can use homemade or fresh potato cubes, but you may need to adjust the cooking time to ensure everything is cooked through.

2. How do I reheat leftovers?
You can reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes until warm. Alternatively, you can use the microwave for quick reheating.

3. Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the casserole a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just bake it when you’re ready to serve.

Pizza Tot Casserole

A fun and easy dish that combines pizza and tater tots, perfect for families and customizable with different toppings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Comfort Food

Servings 6 servings

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef Can substitute with ground turkey or sausage.
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cups marinara sauce Can substitute with barbecue or Alfredo sauce.
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper To taste
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Divide into two cups for layering.
• 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots Can substitute with homemade or fresh potato cubes.

Optional Toppings

• pepperoni, olives, bell pepper, green onions, mushrooms Use any preferred toppings.

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Make sure your oven is properly calibrated for accurate baking.
• Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or casserole dish to prevent sticking.

Cooking

• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until browned and the onion is soft, about 5-7 minutes.
• Drain any excess grease to prevent the casserole from being too greasy.
• Add the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and let it simmer for a couple of minutes.
• Spread the beef and sauce mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
• Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheese over the beef mixture.
• Arrange the tater tots in a single layer over the cheese and beef mixture.
• Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top of the tater tots.
• Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
• If desired, add optional toppings over the casserole and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

For a healthier option, consider adding veggies like spinach or zucchini. For storage, let the casserole cool completely before placing it in an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to three days or frozen.

Keyword Comfort Food, Easy Recipes, Family Meal, Pizza Casserole, Tater Tots