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Pizza Tot Casserole Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 24 reviews
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Pizza Tot Casserole is a delicious and hearty baked dish combining crispy tater tots, savory Italian sausage, flavorful pizza sauce, and a melty blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Topped with mini pepperoni and optional vegetables like olives, bell peppers, and mushrooms, this casserole brings all the fun flavors of pizza in an easy-to-make, family-friendly casserole perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
  • 1 lb ground Italian sausage (or ground beef)
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup pizza sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Cheese and Toppings

  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices
  • 1/4 cup black olives, sliced (optional)
  • 1/4 cup green bell pepper, diced (optional)
  • 1/4 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get ready for baking the casserole.
  2. Cook sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground Italian sausage, making sure to crumble it as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess grease to keep the dish from being too oily.
  3. Sauté aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage, cooking for 2-3 minutes until they become fragrant and softened, enhancing the flavor of the meat mixture.
  4. Add sauce and seasoning: Stir in the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
  5. Prepare baking dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Spread half of the frozen tater tots evenly in the bottom of the dish to form the first layer.
  6. Layer meat and cheese: Pour the sausage and sauce mixture evenly over the first layer of tater tots, then sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
  7. Add second tot layer and more cheese: Layer the remaining tater tots over the cheese, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese followed by the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
  8. Add toppings: Scatter the mini pepperoni slices, black olives, diced green bell pepper, and sliced mushrooms over the cheese layer to add additional pizza flavors.
  9. Bake: Place the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden, and the tater tots are crispy.
  10. Garnish and serve: Once baked, let the casserole cool slightly before garnishing with fresh basil or parsley for a fresh finishing touch. Serve warm.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground beef for the Italian sausage if preferred.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice tolerance or omit for milder flavor.
  • Feel free to add or omit toppings like olives, bell peppers, or mushrooms based on preference.
  • Make sure to drain excess grease from sausage to keep casserole from being greasy.
  • This casserole is great for leftovers and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.

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