Pizza Tot Casserole Bake (Printable)

Cheesy layers of marinara, beef, and golden tater tots meld for ultimate comfort and satisfying flavor.

# Components:

→ Main Components

01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, diced
03 - 2 cups marinara sauce
04 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
05 - Salt, to taste
06 - Black pepper, to taste
07 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 1 bag (32 ounces) frozen tater tots

→ Optional Toppings

09 - Mini pepperoni slices
10 - Sliced black olives
11 - Diced bell pepper
12 - Sliced green onions
13 - Sliced mushrooms

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with diced onion, breaking up the meat until browned and onion is soft, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease with a slotted spoon, leaving only the cooked beef and onion.
03 - Return beef mixture to the skillet if removed. Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and simmer for 2 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
04 - Spread the beef and sauce mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the mixture.
05 - Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese and beef mixture. Top the tater tots with remaining 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
06 - Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until tater tots are golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - If desired, scatter mini pepperoni, olives, bell pepper, green onions, or mushrooms over the top. Bake for an additional 5 minutes until toppings are warmed through.
08 - Allow casserole to cool slightly before serving. Portion into squares and serve while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Easy pantry ingredients make this accessible for busy weeknights
  • Ready in about forty-five minutes with minimal prep time
  • Crispy tater tots and melty cheese satisfy both kids and adults
  • Totally customizable with your favorite pizza flavors or toppings
02 -
  • A complete meal in one pan
  • Easily doubles for a crowd or meal prep
  • Great way to use up leftover pizza toppings
03 -
  • Let the casserole rest after baking so you can cut clean slices
  • For ultra-crispy tots bake uncovered do not crowd the dish
  • Shred your own cheese for the stretchiest gooey result

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