Description
This Pizza Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, blending the best of pizza and tater tots into one easy dish. Imagine crispy tater tots, a rich meaty sauce, and gooey, melted cheese, all baked to perfection. It’s a family-friendly dinner that’s quick to prepare and guaranteed to please. Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe also makes for a delicious and easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (lean or regular)
- 1 (28 ounce) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 (24 ounce) jar pizza sauce
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color)
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Season the Beef: Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Add Sauce and Vegetables: Pour in the pizza sauce, bell pepper, black olives, and mushrooms. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to combine flavors.
- Assemble the Casserole: Pour the meat mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the meat mixture.
- Arrange Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
- Add Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese over the tater tots.
- Add Pepperoni: Arrange the pepperoni slices over the cheese.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool Slightly: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve: Slice and serve hot.
Notes
- Substitutions: Use ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of ground beef. Add other favorite pizza toppings such as onions, pineapple, or jalapenos.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Add about 10 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
- Storage: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. Top with fresh basil or a drizzle of olive oil.
Nutrition
- Array