Description
Comfort meets creativity in this irresistible Pizza Tot Casserole, blending crispy tater tots with zesty pizza flavors. Hearty layers of cheese, meat, and classic marinara sauce promise a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Base:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef or turkey
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) onion, chopped
- 1 can (15 ounces or 425 grams) pizza sauce or marinara sauce
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings:
- 1 bag (32 ounces or 907 grams) frozen tater tots
- 1 cup (225 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (57 grams) pepperoni slices (optional)
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or parchment paper.
- In a large skillet, cook ground meat with onions until meat is thoroughly browned, carefully draining excess fat.
- Stir tomato sauce and selected seasonings into the meat mixture, allowing flavors to meld for 2-3 minutes over medium heat.
- Transfer meat mixture into prepared baking dish, creating an even base layer and sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese across the surface.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a uniform single layer directly over the cheese and meat mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, watching for golden brown and crispy tater tot tops.
- Remove casserole and immediately distribute remaining mozzarella cheese evenly across the surface.
- Optional: Add pepperoni slices on top of cheese layer for additional flavor and texture.
- Return to oven for 5 additional minutes until cheese melts completely and becomes slightly bubbly.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving for enhanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Swap ground meat for plant-based crumbles to create a vegetarian version that’s equally delicious and satisfying.
- Customize the dish with different proteins like ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage for varied flavor profiles.
- Try additional toppings like sliced bell peppers, olives, or mushrooms to boost nutritional value and add extra texture.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium marinara sauce and controlling salt in seasonings for a heart-healthy alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg