Description
A delicious and easy Tater Tot Pizza Casserole combining ground beef, classic pizza flavors, and crispy tater tots baked to golden perfection. This hearty, cheesy casserole is perfect for family dinners or any comfort food craving.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Main Components
- 1 (24-ounce) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 (15-ounce) jar pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni or other desired pizza toppings
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook beef and onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and the onions are soft. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Season beef mixture: Stir in the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper into the cooked beef and onion mixture to infuse it with flavor.
- Assemble casserole base: Spread the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish to create the casserole base layer.
- Add pizza sauce: Pour the jar of pizza sauce over the beef layer and spread it evenly across the surface.
- Arrange tater tots: Place the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the pizza sauce, covering the dish completely.
- Top with cheese and toppings: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses evenly over the tater tots. Add sliced pepperoni or any other preferred pizza toppings on top.
- Bake the casserole: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving warm.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives to the beef mixture before assembling.
- Use pepper jack cheese or add red pepper flakes for a spicier version.
- This casserole is best served warm and makes a fun, hearty family meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
