Pizza Tot Casserole: A Beginner’s Guide to Comfort Food Heaven
Indulge in the comforting flavors of Pizza Tot Casserole, a delightful dish that combines seasoned ground beef, hearty marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese layered with crispy tater tots. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for busy weeknights, appealing to both kids and adults alike. With just 15 minutes of prep time, you can create a satisfying meal that your family will love. Customize it with your favorite toppings for an extra touch. Whether served straight from the baking dish or plated individually, this casserole promises a cozy dining experience any night of the week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
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
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until browned (about 5-7 minutes). Drain excess grease.
- Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; simmer for a few minutes.
- Spread the beef mixture in the baking dish, top with 1 cup of cheese, then arrange tater tots on top.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese over the tater tots.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until tater tots are golden brown and cheese is bubbly.
- Add optional toppings if desired and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- Allow cooling slightly before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole (approx. 180g)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 65mg