Description
A deliciously comforting Pepperoni Pizza Tater Tot Casserole combining savory ground beef, melty mozzarella, crispy tater tots, and zesty pizza flavors for an easy family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (14 oz) jar pizza sauce
Cheese and Toppings
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Other
- 1 (28 oz) bag frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Meat Mixture: Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook Ground Meat: Add the ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until the meat is browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess fat if needed.
- Season and Combine with Sauce: Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and pizza sauce into the cooked meat. Mix well and remove from heat.
- Assemble Casserole: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread the meat and sauce mixture evenly in the dish. Sprinkle 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat layer.
- Add Tater Tots and Bake: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese. Place the dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Add Remaining Toppings and Finish Baking: Remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese, pepperoni slices, and grated Parmesan cheese on top. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley before serving. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting pizza-inspired casserole.
Notes
- You can substitute turkey pepperoni or omit meat entirely for a vegetarian version.
- Add chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives for a supreme pizza flavor variation.
- Make sure to arrange tater tots in a single layer so they crisp evenly.
- Use freshly shredded mozzarella for best melting results.
