1-Gathering and Preheating: First, preheat your oven to 400°F and spray a 9×13 casserole dish with cooking spray. This sets the stage for even baking and helps prevent sticking. While the oven heats up, gather all your ingredients like the 1 pound of lean ground beef, ½ pound of bacon, 1 chopped onion, 1 chopped bell pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves.

2-Cooking the Meat Mixture: Next, in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, bacon, onion, bell pepper, and garlic for about 10 minutes until the meat is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender. This step builds the base of your casserole, blending those savory flavors together. Once done, stir in the 16 ounces of pizza sauce to tie everything together with a rich, tangy note.

3-Assembling the Casserole: Spread the meat mixture evenly in the prepared casserole dish, then sprinkle with half of the 3 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese for a gooey layer. Arrange the 2 pounds of frozen tater tots in a single layer on top to create that crispy finish. For extra crispiness, you might bake the tater tots separately for 10 minutes first, as shared in tips from experienced cooks a handy trick when you want that perfect crunch. At this point, if you’re looking for more easy oven dishes, check out our easy chicken spaghetti recipe for another family favorite.

4-Baking and Finishing Touches: Bake the casserole for 40 minutes, then remove it from the oven and add the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and 4 ounces of pepperoni on top. Pop it back in for another 5 minutes until the cheese melts beautifully. Finally, sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon of Italian seasoning, let it stand for 5 minutes, and serve. This hearty casserole combines these steps to make a comforting, family-style dish that’s ready in about 1 hour, with prep time at just 10 minutes and cook time at 50 minutes. Adaptations include using vegan cheese and plant-based proteins for dietary needs or gluten-free options to suit everyone at the table.