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Delicious Pizza Tot Casserole topped with cheese and pepperoni, served in a baking dish.

Pizza Tot Casserole

A cozy, cheesy casserole featuring ground beef, marinara, and tater tots, perfect for weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 530
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients
  • 1 lb ground beef Use lean beef to reduce grease.
  • 1 small onion, diced Fresh onion = sweeter aroma.
  • 2 cups marinara sauce Good marinara = cleaner flavor.
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Shred for faster melting.
  • 1 bag frozen tater tots (32 oz) Use straight from the bag—no thawing.
Optional Toppings
  • mini pepperoni
  • olives
  • bell pepper
  • green onions
  • mushrooms

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13-inch dish or line with parchment.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium; add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook until the beef browns and the onion softens, about 5–7 minutes.
  3. Drain excess grease and return the beef to the pan. Stir in marinara, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Spread the beef-and-sauce mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  5. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella over the beef.
  6. Arrange the tater tots in a single layer on top.
  7. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella evenly over the tots.
Baking
  1. Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
  2. For optional toppings, add them in the last 5 minutes of baking.
  3. Remove the dish and let it cool for 5 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Great for meal-prep leftovers. Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days in the fridge or freeze single portions for up to 2 months.