Easy Pizza Tot Casserole — dinner in one dish

🍕 Easy Pizza Tot Casserole — Dinner in One Dish! 🥔

Looking for a family-friendly dinner that’s simple to make, packed with flavor, and delivers on comfort? Our Easy Pizza Tot Casserole is the answer! This dish combines the cheesy, zesty goodness of your favorite pizza with the crispy, satisfying crunch of tater tots. It's a fun twist on a classic comfort food casserole and is guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults!

✨ Why You'll Love This Recipe

One-Dish Wonder: Everything is baked together in a single casserole dish, meaning easy cleanup!
Ultimate Comfort Food: It’s warm, cheesy, and hearty—perfect for a chilly weeknight or a cozy weekend.
Totally Customizable: Like any great pizza, you can swap in your favorite toppings to make it your own.

📋 Ingredients

This recipe makes approximately 8 servings and is based on a standard 9x13 inch casserole dish.

Ingredient	Quantity	Notes
Ground Meat	1 to 1.5 lbs	Lean ground beef or Italian sausage (mild or hot) are excellent choices.
Vegetables	1 small	Onion, chopped
	1 small	Green bell pepper, chopped (optional)
Sauce	1 (14-15 oz) can or jar	Pizza sauce
Seasoning	1 tsp	Dried Italian seasoning or dried basil (optional)
Cheese	2 cups	Shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Toppings	4 oz	Sliced pepperoni, chopped (or your favorite pizza toppings)
Potatoes	1 (32 oz) bag	Frozen Tater Tots (do NOT thaw)
Other	1 tbsp	Cooking oil (for browning meat) or non-stick cooking spray (for the dish)

👩‍🍳 Instructions: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prep the Filling

Preheat & Grease: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Cook Meat & Veggies: In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat, chopped onion, and green pepper (if using). Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the meat is fully browned and the vegetables are tender.
Drain: Carefully drain any excess grease from the skillet.
Add Sauce: Stir in the pizza sauce and the Italian seasoning (if using). Bring the mixture to a simmer, then remove from heat.

Step 2: Assemble the Casserole

Bottom Layer: Pour the meat and sauce mixture into the prepared 9x13 inch baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
Toppings & Cheese: Sprinkle about 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the meat mixture. Top with half of your desired toppings (like chopped pepperoni).
The Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the cheese and toppings. Tip: Keep them frozen for the crispiest result!

Step 3: Bake and Finish

First Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Final Cheese Layer: Remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese (and any remaining pepperoni or toppings) over the tater tots.
Final Bake: Return the dish to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
Serve: Let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

💡 Pro Tips & Variations

Category	Tip/Variation
Protein Swap	Use ground turkey, pre-cooked shredded chicken, or swap ground meat for a can of cream of mushroom soup stirred into the sauce for a richer base (omit browning step if using soup).
Vegetables	Add sautéed mushrooms, sliced black olives, or a handful of baby spinach to the meat mixture for extra nutrients and flavor.
Spice Level	Mix in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce for a subtle heat, or use hot Italian sausage.
Cheese Blend	Mix in shredded Parmesan, provolone, or Monterey Jack cheese with the mozzarella for a more complex cheesy flavor.
Serving Suggestion	Drizzle with ranch dressing or a little extra warmed pizza sauce before serving. A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a nice pop of color.

Enjoy this incredibly easy and delicious weeknight meal!

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