Tater Tot Pizza Casserole
Pizza flavored ground beef, mozzarella, and pepperoni topped with crispy tater tots.
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef 80 percent lean
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can pizza sauce 15 ounces
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- 24 oz frozen tater tots
- ½ cup mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives optional toppings, sliced
Instructions
Cooking
- Brown the beef. Cook the beef in a skillet over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes until browned, then drain and cook the onion and garlic with it for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Make the sauce. Stir in the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and pepper and simmer for 3 minutes.
- Assemble. Spread the meat mixture in a greased 9x13 inch dish, scatter half the mozzarella, pepperoni, and toppings, then set the tots in one snug layer.
- Bake. Bake at 425 degrees F for 25 minutes, add the remaining cheese, and bake 5 minutes more until golden and bubbly.
- Rest. Let it stand for 10 minutes before cutting into squares.
Notes
Substitutions: Use Italian sausage for the beef, cooked to 160 degrees F.
Tips: Drain the meat well and keep the tots frozen for the crispest top.
Storage: Refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze up to 1 month and reheat to 165 degrees F.