Get ready to elevate your comfort food game with the ultimate crowd-pleaser: Crock Pot Pizza Tater Tot Casserole! This mouthwatering dish combines the flavors of your favorite pizza with the crispy goodness of tater tots, all cooked to perfection in your trusty slow cooker. Imagine a bubbling layer of gooey mozzarella, savory ground beef, and zesty pepperoni, all enveloped in a crispy tater tot crust. Whether you're hosting a game day gathering or simply craving a cozy family dinner, this recipe is sure to impress. Dive into this easy, delicious, and satisfying meal that promises to have everyone asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 jar pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 bag tater tots
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
Instructions
- Start by gathering all your ingredients: 1 pound of ground beef, 1 jar of pizza sauce, 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 bag of tater tots, and 1/2 cup of sliced pepperoni.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Use a spatula to break it into small pieces as it cooks. Cook until the meat is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Once the ground beef is cooked, add the jar of pizza sauce to the skillet. Stir well to combine the meat and sauce. Let it simmer for about 2-3 minutes to heat through.
- Lightly grease the inside of your crock pot with cooking spray or a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Spread half of the tater tots evenly across the bottom of the crock pot, creating a layer.
- Next, pour the beef and pizza sauce mixture over the layer of tater tots, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the beef and sauce mixture, followed by the sliced pepperoni.
- Add the remaining tater tots on top of the cheese and pepperoni, creating another layer.
- Finally, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the tater tots, ensuring they are well-covered.
- Cover the crock pot with its lid and set it to cook on low for 4 hours. This will allow the tater tots to cook through and the cheese to melt perfectly.
- After 4 hours, check the casserole. The tater tots should be crispy on top, and the cheese should be melted and bubbly.
- Once done, turn off the crock pot and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Use a large spoon to scoop out portions, and enjoy your delicious Crock Pot Pizza Tater Tot Casserole!
Tips
- Prep Ahead: To save time, you can brown the ground beef and mix it with the pizza sauce a day in advance. Just store it in the fridge until you're ready to assemble the casserole.
- Layering is Key: Make sure to layer your ingredients evenly in the crock pot. This helps ensure that every bite is filled with flavor, and the tater tots get crispy on top!
- Choose Your Toppings: Feel free to customize your casserole with additional toppings like bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives. Just remember to keep the total volume similar so it cooks evenly.
- Check for Doneness: After 4 hours of cooking, check if the tater tots are crispy and the cheese is melted. If you prefer a crispier top, you can switch the crock pot to high for the last 30 minutes.
- Serve with Style: Pair your casserole with a fresh salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. Don’t forget to have some extra pizza sauce on the side for dipping!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 443kcal
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 29g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 68mg
