Description
Cheesy pizza tot casserole brings together two ultimate comfort foods in one delightful dish that your family will devour in minutes. Crispy tater tots, melted cheese, and classic pizza toppings create a crowd-pleasing meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds frozen tater tots
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, diced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 425°F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Place 1 pound ground beef and 1 small diced onion in a large skillet. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until beef browns and onion softens.
- Drain excess fat from the skillet. Stir in 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Pour 1 cup pizza sauce into the beef mixture. Stir until ingredients combine thoroughly.
- Transfer beef mixture to the greased baking dish. Spread evenly across the bottom of the pan.
- Scatter 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup sliced pepperoni over the beef layer.
- Arrange 2 pounds frozen tater tots in a single layer across the cheese and pepperoni.
- Sprinkle ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese over the tater tots.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until tots turn golden and crispy.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter protein option that works great for different dietary needs.
- Sneak extra veggies into the beef mixture by adding finely chopped bell peppers or mushrooms for more nutrition without changing the overall flavor.
- Use fresh herbs like chopped basil or oregano instead of dried Italian seasoning to boost the pizza-style flavor profile and add brightness.
- For a crispier tot topping, spread them in a single layer without overcrowding and consider brushing with a little olive oil before baking to help them get extra golden and crunchy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 556 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1020 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg