Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 jar (15 ounces) pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 bag (32 ounces) frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup sliced turkey pepperoni
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet, brown the ground beef (or Italian sausage) and chopped onion until the meat is fully cooked. Drain any excess grease completely.
- Step 2: Stir the pizza sauce and Italian seasoning into the cooked meat mixture. Spread this mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- Step 3: Layer 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce base. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese layer.
- Step 4: Bake the casserole uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tater tots are starting to turn golden brown and the filling is bubbling hot.
- Step 5: Remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the sliced beef pepperoni evenly over the tater tots. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Serve hot.
Notes
- Leftovers keep well; cover the cooled casserole tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days, but note the tater tots may lose some crispness upon sitting.
- For best results when reheating, skip the microwave and place single servings in an air fryer or toaster oven until the tots are crispy and the cheese is bubbly again.
- Complete this family meal by serving alongside a simple fresh salad tossed in Italian vinaigrette or offer a side of warm marinara sauce for extra dipping fun.
- Ensure you drain the cooked ground beef or sausage completely before adding the pizza sauce; this prevents a watery base and keeps the finished casserole sturdy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8th of casserole (~1.5 cups)
- Calories: 435
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Protein: 2g