Pizza Tot Casserole Guide (Printable Version)

A cheesy, crispy, and hearty casserole perfect for weeknight comfort.

# What You'll Need:

01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, diced
03 - 2 cups marinara sauce
04 - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
05 - Salt and pepper, to taste
06 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

→ Optional Toppings

08 - Pepperoni
09 - Olives
10 - Bell pepper
11 - Green onions
12 - Mushrooms

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
02 - 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. Drain any excess grease.
03 - Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and let simmer for a couple of minutes to meld flavors.
04 - Spread the beef and sauce mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the mixture.
05 - Arrange tater tots in a single layer over the cheese and beef mixture. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the tater tots.
06 - Bake for 25-30 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - If desired, add optional toppings such as pepperoni, olives, or bell peppers. Bake for an additional 5 minutes until toppings are heated through.
08 - Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy.

# Additional Notes:

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