Description
If you’re looking for something quick and easy for dinner, this Pizza Tot Casserole is the perfect solution! This dish combines all the delicious flavors of pizza with crispy tater tots, making it a fun, family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
- Here’s what you’ll need to make this Pizza Tot Casserole:
For the Base:
- Ground Beef (1 pound or 450g (or substitute with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a no-meat version))
- Olive Oil (1 tablespoon)
- Onion (1 small, finely chopped)
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced)
- Pizza Sauce or Marinara Sauce (1 ½ cups)
- Italian Seasoning (1 teaspoon)
- Salt and Black Pepper (to taste)
For the Topping:
- Tater Tots (1 bag, about 32 ounces)
- Mozzarella Cheese (2 cups, shredded)
- Pepperoni Slices (½ cup, optional)
- Bell Peppers (½ cup, diced, optional)
- Black Olives (¼ cup, sliced, optional)
- Parmesan Cheese (¼ cup, grated)
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional for spice)
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook the Beef Mixture
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft (about 3 minutes).
- Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Stir in the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Step 2: Assemble the Casserole
- Spread the beef mixture evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the beef layer.
- Arrange tater tots in a single layer on top, covering the entire dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese, followed by pepperoni, bell peppers, and black olives (if using).
- Step 3: Bake the Casserole
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (if desired).
- Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use Crispy Tater Tots: Bake tater tots separately for 10 minutes before assembling to keep them extra crispy.
Customize Your Toppings: Just like a pizza, you can add mushrooms, sausage, or extra veggies.
Go Meatless: Skip the ground beef and add more veggies or plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 39 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Calories: 430
Keywords: Dinner Ideas Easy No Meat