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Cheesy Pizza Tot Casserole

Cheesy Pizza Tot Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Dinner

Cheesy Pizza Tot Casserole brings together tater tots, ground beef, pizza sauce, and cheese for a delicious comfort food experience.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Mixture
  • 1 lb Ground Beef Can be substituted with ground turkey or chicken.
  • 1 medium Onion Diced finely for even cooking.
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder Fresh garlic can be used for a stronger flavor.
  • 1 tsp Italian Seasoning Customize with your favorite herbs.
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black Pepper
For the Casserole
  • 1 cup Pizza Sauce Select a robust brand for best flavor.
  • 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese Whole milk mozzarella is recommended.
  • 1 cup Sliced Pepperoni Optional, can swap for turkey pepperoni.
  • 32 oz Frozen Tater Tots No direct substitutions for best texture.
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Optional but recommended.
Optional Topping Ideas
  • 1 cup Bell Peppers Diced small.
  • 1/2 cup Olives Green or black based on preference.
  • 1 cup Mushrooms Sauté briefly for best texture.

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • 9×13-inch baking dish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Begin by dicing one onion finely and measuring out your spices.
  2. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, cooking until the meat is browned and the onion has softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain the excess fat from the skillet.
  3. Stir in the garlic powder and Italian seasoning, mixing thoroughly. Let it cook for another minute before adding the pizza sauce.
  4. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading the seasoned beef mixture evenly across the bottom. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the beef, then layer sliced pepperoni on top.
  5. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the top of your casserole and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese across them.
  6. Place the casserole in your preheated oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
  7. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5–10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 25gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Serve alongside a light salad for a balanced meal and consider trying out a breakfast casserole for a morning twist.

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