Description
Pizza Tator Tot Casserole brings together crispy tater tots and gooey cheese in a comforting dish that screams weeknight dinner winner. Grab your family around the table and watch them dive into this simple, crowd-pleasing meal that comes together faster than ordering takeout.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 bag (2832 grams/100 ounces) frozen tater tots
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef or Italian sausage
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups pizza sauce or marinara sauce
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ cup mini pepperoni or chopped pepperoni
- ¼ cup chopped bell peppers
- ¼ cup sliced black olives
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking spray for greasing the pan
Instructions
- Prepare your oven at 400°F (200°C). Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage.
- Heat a large skillet over medium temperature. Cook 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage with ½ cup diced onions until meat browns completely. Drain excess fat from the pan.
- Season meat mixture with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Pour 2 cups pizza sauce into the skillet. Blend sauce with meat mixture and simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Transfer meat and sauce combination to the prepared baking dish. Spread mixture in an even layer across the bottom of the pan.
- Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce. Cover entire surface with cheese for maximum flavor coverage.
- Distribute optional toppings across the cheese layer: ½ cup mini pepperoni, ¼ cup chopped bell peppers, and ¼ cup sliced black olives.
- Arrange 2,832 grams (1 bag) of frozen tater tots in a single, tight layer across the casserole. Position tots side by side for consistent crispness.
- Slide dish into preheated oven. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until tater tots turn golden brown and cheese melts completely.
- Remove casserole from oven. Allow 5 minutes resting time before serving to let cheese set and flavors stabilize.
Notes
- Drain meat thoroughly to prevent a soggy casserole and ensure crispy tater tots.
- Experiment with different meats like ground turkey or Italian sausage for varied flavor profiles.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier.
- For a vegetarian version, replace meat with plant-based crumbles or extra vegetables like mushrooms and zucchini.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg