Pizza Tot Casserole Recipe – Easy, Cheesy Comfort Food for Beginners
Pizza Tot Casserole is a comforting and cheesy baked dish featuring ground beef, marinara sauce, tater tots, and melted mozzarella cheese, perfect for family dinners or game nights.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish, Casserole
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
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 to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line with parchment paper.
- Cook ground beef and diced onion in a skillet over medium heat until beef is browned and onion is soft, 5–7 minutes. Drain excess grease.
- Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir and simmer for a few minutes.
- Spread beef mixture evenly in prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheese over beef.
- Arrange tater tots in a single layer on top of cheese and beef. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese on top.
- Bake 25–30 minutes until tater tots are golden and cheese is bubbly.
- Add optional toppings if desired and bake an additional 5 minutes until heated through.
- Remove from oven, let cool slightly, and serve.
Notes
- Arrange tater tots evenly for consistent crispiness.
- Drain excess grease from beef for a less greasy casserole.
- Customize with your favorite pizza toppings.