Description
Pizza Tater Tot Casserole is a cheesy, family-friendly comfort dinner loaded with savory beef, tangy pizza sauce, crispy golden tater tots, and melty mozzarella. Perfect for busy weeknights, this easy casserole brings classic pizza flavors into one cozy baked dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup mini pepperoni
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers (optional)
- 1/2 cup cooked crumbled Italian sausage (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef 6–8 minutes until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook 30 seconds to bloom spices.
- Add pizza sauce and simmer 3–5 minutes until thickened.
- Spread meat mixture evenly into prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups mozzarella and 1/2 cup cheddar over meat layer.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a single even layer on top.
- Bake uncovered 25–30 minutes until tots are golden and crispy.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle remaining mozzarella and cheddar on top.
- Add mini pepperoni evenly across the surface.
- Return to oven and bake 5–8 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles.
- Broil 1–2 minutes for extra browning if desired.
- Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with Parmesan and fresh basil.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey for a lighter option.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
- Reheat in oven at 350°F (175°C) to maintain crispness.
- Freeze cooled portions up to 2 months for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg