Description
Cheesy pizza tater tot casserole brings classic comfort food to new heights with its irresistible blend of crispy tots and pizza-inspired flavors. Families will crave this simple, crowd-pleasing dish that delivers maximum satisfaction in every hearty, golden-brown bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (0.45 kilograms) lean ground beef
- 1/2 pound (0.23 kilograms) bacon, chopped
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy, Sauce, and Seasoning:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 can (14 ounces or 414 milliliters) pizza sauce
- 1 package (32 ounces or 907 grams) frozen tater tots
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating it to 400°F (200°C), ensuring a perfectly crisp cooking environment.
- In a large skillet, combine ground beef and bacon, cooking over medium-high heat until the meat becomes thoroughly browned and develops a rich, caramelized texture.
- Incorporate finely chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic into the meat mixture, sautéing until the vegetables become tender and release their aromatic flavors.
- Pour pizza sauce into the skillet, allowing the ingredients to meld together and simmer for approximately 5 minutes, creating a robust and flavorful base.
- Carefully transfer the meat and sauce combination to a generously greased 9×13-inch baking dish, distributing it evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a precise, even pattern across the meat mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Liberally distribute shredded mozzarella cheese over the tater tots, creating a melty blanket of flavor.
- Strategically place pepperoni slices atop the cheese layer for an extra burst of traditional pizza taste.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning across the surface to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes, watching for golden-brown tater tots and bubbling, melted cheese.
- Once cooked, remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, letting the flavors settle and making it easier to serve.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative that maintains the dish’s hearty flavor profile.
- Crisp the tater tots by spreading them in a single layer without overcrowding, ensuring maximum golden-brown crunchiness.
- Add extra vegetable variety like sliced mushrooms or spinach to boost nutritional value and introduce more complex flavor dimensions.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium pizza sauce and choosing reduced-fat cheese options without compromising the comforting, indulgent taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg