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Pizza Tot Casserole: A Beginner’s Guide to Comfort Food Heaven

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Craving pizza and tater tots? This Pizza Tot Casserole is the answer! Layers of seasoned ground beef, savory marinara sauce, gooey melted cheese, and crispy tater tots create a comforting and satisfying meal. Imagine a dish brimming with cheesy goodness and crispy potato perfection. It’s a treat for the whole family, perfect for any weeknight. This easy recipe is ideal for beginner cooks, requiring minimal prep and delivering maximum flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
  • Optional Toppings: pepperoni, olives, bell pepper, green onions, mushrooms

Instructions

  • Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Make sure your oven is properly calibrated for accurate baking. An oven thermometer can be helpful. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or casserole dish. Greasing the dish will prevent the casserole from sticking and make it easier to serve. You can also line the dish with parchment paper for even easier cleanup.
  • Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 5-7 minutes. Break up the ground beef with a spoon as it cooks. Draining any excess grease is important – this will prevent the casserole from being too greasy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the cooked beef and onions from the skillet, leaving any excess grease behind.
  • Season and Sauce: Add the marinara or pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the skillet (or you can add the beef and onion mixture back to the skillet). Stir to combine and let it simmer for a couple of minutes. Simmering the sauce allows the flavors to meld together and thicken slightly.
  • Assemble the Casserole: Spread the beef and sauce mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Make sure the beef mixture is spread in an even layer so that every bite has the same amount of filling. Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheese over the beef mixture. This layer of cheese will help to hold the tater tots in place and create a cheesy base.
  • Add Tater Tots: Arrange the tater tots in a single layer over the cheese and beef mixture. Try to arrange the tater tots in a way that covers as much of the beef mixture as possible. You can arrange them in neat rows or scatter them randomly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top of the tater tots. This layer of cheese will melt and become bubbly, creating a delicious topping.
  • Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the tater tots are golden and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on the casserole towards the end of the baking time to prevent the tater tots from burning. The edges of the tater tots should be nicely browned.
  • Add Toppings (Optional): If desired, add mini pepperoni, olives, bell peppers, or any other pizza toppings over the casserole. Bake for an additional 5 minutes until toppings are heated through. Adding toppings during the last few minutes of baking will prevent them from becoming overcooked or burnt.
  • Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Letting the casserole cool slightly will make it easier to serve and prevent it from being too hot. It also allows the cheese to set slightly. Enjoy your pizza-flavored comfort casserole!

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef to minimize grease.
  • Don’t overcrowd the baking dish.
  • Bake until tater tots are crispy and cheese is bubbly.
  • Get creative with your favorite pizza toppings.

Find it online: https://paularecipes.com/pizza-tot-casserole-a-beginners-guide-to-comfort-food-heaven/