Description
Enjoy a crispy, cheesy Pizza Tot Casserole! This easy, family-friendly recipe combines tater tots, pizza flavors, and gooey cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Layer:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup (75g) diced onion
- 1/2 cup (75g) diced green bell pepper
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce Layer:
- 1 1/2 cups (375ml) pizza sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Cheese and Toppings Layer:
- 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup (50g) sliced pepperoni
- 1/2 cup (50g) sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup (50g) sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 cup (50g) diced cooked bacon
Tater Tot Layer:
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
Garnish:
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- Extra Parmesan for sprinkling
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Cook the Meat Mixture
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook ground beef or sausage until browned.
- Add onions, bell peppers, and garlic. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Drain excess grease.
Step 3: Add the Sauce
- Reduce heat to medium and add the pizza sauce.
- Stir in red pepper flakes and oregano.
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
Step 4: Add Cheese and Toppings
- Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the meat mixture.
- Add pepperoni, olives, mushrooms, and bacon.
- Top with remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese.
Step 5: Arrange the Tater Tots
- Spread the frozen tater tots evenly over the casserole.
- Lightly coat with olive oil for extra crispiness (optional).
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes for extra crispiness if desired.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use Fresh Cheese: Shred your own cheese for better melting and flavor.
- Make It Spicier: Add jalapeños or extra red pepper flakes.
- For Extra Crispy Tots: Broil for a few minutes after baking.
- Customize It: Swap out ingredients to match your favorite pizza flavors.
- Make-Ahead Option: Assemble and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Prep Time: 15minutes
- Cook Time: 40minutes