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Pizza Tater Tot Casserole

Pizza Tater Tot Casserole
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Pizza Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make dish that blends crispy golden tater tots with savory pizza flavors, melted cheese, and a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or feeding a busy family, this casserole hits all the right notes in taste and texture while being customizable to suit various dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  • 2 cups marinara or pizza sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup mini pepperoni slices
  • 1 cup diced green peppers
  • 1 cup diced onions
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

  1. Brown the Meat and Cook Veggies: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef or turkey until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat, then add diced onions and green peppers. Cook until softened, seasoning with Italian seasoning to develop flavor.
  2. Assemble the Base Sauce Mixture: Stir in the marinara or pizza sauce to the meat and vegetable mixture. Let it simmer gently so the flavors combine and create a rich, tangy sauce that will coat the tater tots.
  3. Layer the Casserole: In a baking dish, spread half of the frozen tater tots evenly as the bottom crispy layer. Spoon the meat and sauce mixture over the tots. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and mini pepperoni slices. Finally, add the remaining tater tots as the top crispy layer.
  4. Bake Until Golden and Bubbly: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the casserole for about 35-40 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crunchy and the cheese melts into a bubbly, delicious topping.
  5. Let It Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. This resting period helps the casserole set, making it easier to slice and letting the flavors marry perfectly before serving.

Notes

  • Choose quality marinara or pizza sauce for the best flavor.
  • Avoid overcrowding the pan when browning meat and veggies to ensure even browning.
  • Spread tater tots evenly without too much overlap on the bottom layer for maximum crispiness.
  • Use fresh mozzarella cheese when possible for creamier texture and better melt.
  • Let the casserole cool slightly before slicing to keep layers intact and make serving easier.

Nutrition

Keywords: pizza casserole, tater tot casserole, family dinner, comfort food, easy dinner, baked tater tots, pizza flavors

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/pizza-tater-tot-casserole/