Crispy Pizza Tots (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Components

01 - 32 oz bag of frozen tater tots
02 - 2 cups of mozzarella (mix with cheddar for a twist)
03 - Ground beef (1 lb) or swap with Italian sausage for an extra kick
04 - 1 diced small onion
05 - Salt and pepper as needed
06 - Italian seasoning (around 1 tsp)
07 - 2 cups of your favorite marinara or pizza sauce

→ Extra Add-Ons

08 - 1/4 cup green onion slices
09 - 1/2 cup chopped mini pepperoni pieces
10 - Diced bell pepper (1/2 pepper)
11 - Thin mushroom slices (1/4 cup)
12 - 1/2 cup of sliced black olives

# Instructions:

01 - Turn the oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
02 - In a big skillet on medium heat, sauté the onion with the ground beef until it's browned and tender, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Get rid of the leftover grease once done.
03 - Stir in the marinara sauce, some Italian seasoning, and a dash of salt and pepper. Give it a mix and let it bubble away for a couple of minutes.
04 - In your greased dish, lay the beef and sauce combo evenly across the bottom. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese all over the top.
05 - Place the tater tots in one layer over the cheese-covered beef. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.
06 - Place the dish into the hot oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the tots are crispy and golden, and the cheese is bubbling.
07 - If you like toppings, sprinkle on things like mini pepperoni or veggies. Return to the oven for a brief 5 minutes to warm everything up.
08 - Take it out, let it cool down slightly, and dig in to this cozy, cheesy creation!

# Notes:

01 - This cheesy tater tot bake is a mashup of pizza flavors and crispy potato goodness, perfect for a quick family meal.
02 - Experiment with ground turkey or sausage to switch up the taste.
03 - Vegetarian? Skip the meat and load up on veggies like onions, mushrooms, and peppers.
04 - Make it uniquely yours by tossing in your family’s go-to pizza toppings!