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Pizza Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

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4.3 from 9 reviews

This Pizza Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish combining seasoned ground beef, vegetables, pizza sauce, and layers of cheese topped with crispy tater tots. Baked to golden perfection, it’s a family-friendly meal perfect for casual dinners or potlucks, delivering all the flavors of a pizza in an easy, satisfying casserole form.

Ingredients

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1-1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 medium green pepper, chopped (optional)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms

Other Ingredients

  • 1 can (15 ounces) pizza sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 3 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 1 package (32 ounces) frozen Tater Tots
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook the beef and vegetables: Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, chopped green pepper, onion, and sliced mushrooms. Cook, breaking the beef into crumbles, until the meat is no longer pink and the vegetables have softened. Drain and discard any excess grease and liquid released from the vegetables.
  2. Assemble the casserole: Stir the pizza sauce and dried basil into the cooked beef mixture until evenly combined. Transfer this mixture into a greased 3-quart or 13x9-inch baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the beef mixture, then arrange the frozen tater tots on top in a single layer. For convenience, consider cooking and layering directly in an oven-safe skillet to minimize cleanup.
  3. Bake the casserole: Place the assembled casserole in a preheated oven at 400°F (204°C) and bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the tater tots are lightly browned and crispy on top. Carefully remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots.
  4. Melt cheddar cheese: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheddar cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven and let it rest briefly before serving.

Notes

  • You can omit the green pepper if you prefer a milder flavor.
  • For a quicker cleanup, consider using an oven-safe skillet to cook and bake the casserole.
  • Feel free to substitute part-skim mozzarella with whole milk mozzarella for creamier cheese.
  • Ensure tater tots are arranged evenly for uniform crispiness.
  • This casserole can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving.

Find it online: https://cookedbygrace.com/pizza-tater-tot-casserole-recipe/