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Cheesy Pizza Tot Casserole Recipe

Cheesy Pizza Tot Casserole Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 20 reviews

Cheesy Pizza Tot Casserole is a comforting and delicious dish combining savory ground beef cooked with Italian spices and pizza sauce, topped with mozzarella, pepperoni, and crispy golden tater tots. This easy-to-make casserole brings all the flavors of a classic pizza into a hearty, family-friendly meal perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small onion, diced

Spices and Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Other Ingredients

  • 1 (15-ounce) can pizza sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoni
  • 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen tater tots
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepping Your Ingredients: Dice the small onion finely to ensure even cooking and prepare your spices—garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Having all ingredients ready will make the cooking process smooth.
  2. Cooking the Ground Beef Mixture: Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the beef is browned and the onions are soft, stirring occasionally. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
  3. Seasoning and Combining: Stir in the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the cooked beef and onions, mixing well so the spices coat the meat evenly. Pour in the pizza sauce and combine thoroughly to create a flavorful meat sauce.
  4. Assembling the Casserole: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread the beef and sauce mixture evenly across the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the beef, then layer the sliced pepperoni on top.
  5. Adding Tater Tots and Cheese Topping: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the mozzarella and pepperoni. Finally, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the tater tots for an added burst of flavor.
  6. Baking the Casserole: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy on top. Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version; adjust cooking time accordingly.
  • Feel free to add other pizza toppings like bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives to customize the casserole.
  • For an extra cheesy dish, add an additional 1/2 cup of mozzarella on top before baking.
  • Use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder for a stronger garlic flavor if preferred.
  • Make sure to drain excess fat after cooking the beef to prevent the casserole from becoming greasy.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Nutrition

Keywords: pizza casserole, tater tot casserole, cheesy casserole, ground beef casserole, easy dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/cheesy-pizza-tot-casserole-recipe/