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Pizza Tot Casserole

Pizza Tot Casserole

A comforting and shareable casserole featuring layers of seasoned beef, marinara, crispy tater tots, and melted cheese – the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb ground beef You can substitute with ground turkey for a lighter version.
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cups marinara sauce Can substitute with pizza sauce.
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Divided into 1 cup for layering and 1 cup for topping.
  • 1 bag frozen tater tots (32 oz)
Optional Toppings
  • mini pepperoni Add during the last 5 minutes of baking.
  • olives Add during the last 5 minutes of baking.
  • bell pepper Add during the last 5 minutes of baking.
  • green onions Add during the last 5 minutes of baking.
  • mushrooms Add during the last 5 minutes of baking.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Use an oven thermometer to ensure it’s accurate.
  2. Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
  3. Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until the beef is browned and the onion is soft (about 5-7 minutes). Drain excess grease.
Assembly
  1. Mix in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir well and let it simmer for a couple of minutes.
  2. Layer the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Top with 1 cup of shredded cheese.
  3. Arrange the tater tots neatly over the cheese, then sprinkle another cup of cheese on top.
Baking
  1. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
  2. Add optional toppings during the last 5 minutes of baking.
  3. Cool slightly before serving.

Notes

This casserole is great for leftovers. Store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave. Optional: Make it spicy with red pepper flakes or jalapeños.