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