Tater Tot Pizza Casserole

This tasty casserole is comfort food. The original recipe used a can of mushroom soup instead of the white sauce, but I seldom have canned soup in my pantry, so I improvised. The kids like it plain, but my husband and I like to sprinkle the finished product with crushed red pepper. I'd like to try this with ground turkey, but I just haven't yet.

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 6
• Yields: 1 2 quart casserole

Ingredients

• 1  lb ground beef
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped onion
• 2  tablespoons butter
• 2  tablespoons flour
• 1  pinch garlic powder
• 1  cup  whole milk
• 1⁄4 cup parmesan cheese
• 8  ounces  pizza sauce
• 2  ounces  sliced  pepperoni
• 4  ounces  shredded mozzarella cheese
• 16  ounces  frozen tater tots

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375°F Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium-high heat until beef is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain.
2. Melt butter, stir in flour and garlic powder. When bubbly gradually stir in milk to make a smooth white sauce. Heat until thickened. Add Parmesan cheese and salt to taste. Stir ground beef into white sauce.
3. Spoon beef mixture into sprayed baking dish. Spoon pizza sauce evenly over top. Arrange pepperoni over sauce. Sprinkle with cheese. Arrange potato nuggets over cheese. Cover with foil.
4. Bake 30 minutes. Remove foil; bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes longer or until thoroughly heated.