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Pizza Tot Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Food


  • Author: isabil
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x

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

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 2: Cook the Meat Mixture

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Cook ground beef or sausage until browned.
  3. Add onions, bell peppers, and garlic. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until softened.
  4. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Drain excess grease.

Step 3: Add the Sauce

  1. Reduce heat to medium and add the pizza sauce.
  2. Stir in red pepper flakes and oregano.
  3. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.

Step 4: Add Cheese and Toppings

  1. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the meat mixture.
  2. Add pepperoni, olives, mushrooms, and bacon.
  3. Top with remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese.

Step 5: Arrange the Tater Tots

  1. Spread the frozen tater tots evenly over the casserole.
  2. Lightly coat with olive oil for extra crispiness (optional).

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

  1. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
  2. Broil for 2-3 minutes for extra crispiness if desired.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

  1. Sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley.
  2. 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