Description
This hearty casserole combines the beloved flavors of pizza with crispy tater tots, creating a comforting and satisfying meal. Layered with savory meats, vegetables, and melted cheese, it’s a family favorite that’s both easy to prepare and delicious.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 pound bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 ounces) pizza sauce
- 1 package (32 ounces) frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped bacon until the meat is browned and cooked through.
- Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the pizza sauce and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
- Transfer the meat and sauce mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Layer the frozen tater tots evenly over the meat mixture.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the tater tots, followed by the sliced pepperoni.
- Sprinkle the Italian seasoning over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For added flavor, consider adding sliced mushrooms or black olives to the meat mixture.
- To make it spicier, add red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.
Nutrition
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg