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Pizza Tater Tot Casserole

Pizza Tater Tot Casserole
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Pizza Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting and flavorful one-dish meal combining crispy tater tots, savory ground meat, zesty pizza sauce, classic pepperoni, and melted mozzarella cheese. Ready in under an hour, it’s perfect for busy family dinners, offering layers of gooey cheese, crunchy tots, and seasoned vegetables with minimal effort and cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
  • 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 cup pizza sauce
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoni
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Vegetables & Seasonings

  • 1 cup diced onions
  • 1 cup diced bell peppers
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning (oregano, basil blend)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Brown the Meat and Veggies: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook ground beef or turkey until browned and cooked through, breaking it apart as it cooks. Add diced onions and bell peppers, sautéing until softened and fragrant. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to evenly season the mixture.
  2. Layer the Ingredients in the Baking Dish: Lightly grease a casserole dish. Spread the cooked meat and veggie mixture evenly across the bottom. Pour the pizza sauce over the meat layer and spread gently. Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer on top, covering the entire surface.
  3. Add Toppings and Cheese: Scatter sliced pepperoni evenly over the tater tots. Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese to cover the top layer, creating the classic pizza flavor and gooey texture.
  4. Bake Until Golden and Bubbling: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the casserole for 30 to 35 minutes or until the tater tots are crispy and golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly. For extra crispiness, broil for the last 2 to 3 minutes but watch carefully to avoid burning.

Notes

  • Arrange tots in a single, tight layer to ensure even crisping during baking.
  • Drain cooked meat well to avoid a soggy casserole.
  • Use freshly shredded mozzarella for better melting and flavor.
  • Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving to set and make cutting easier.
  • Customize heat by adding pepper flakes or hot sauce into the meat mixture.

Nutrition

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