Description
Tater Tot Pizza Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make dish combining crispy tater tots, savory Italian sausage, rich pizza sauce, melted mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, and classic pizza toppings like pepperoni and veggies. Baked to bubbly perfection, this casserole puts a fun twist on traditional pizza flavors in a hearty, family-friendly meal perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage or beef (or use turkey for a lighter option)
- 1 (15 oz) jar pizza sauce (or marinara)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Toppings
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (3.5 oz) package sliced pepperoni
- ½ cup diced bell peppers (optional)
- ½ cup sliced black olives (optional)
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Partially bake tater tots: Spread the frozen tater tots evenly in the baking dish. Bake them for 15 minutes to start crisping them up; no thawing is necessary at this stage.
- Cook and season meat: While the tater tots bake, heat a skillet over medium heat and brown the ground Italian sausage or beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease, then stir in the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder to create a flavorful meat sauce.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread the meat sauce evenly over the partially baked tater tots. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses on top, then layer with sliced pepperoni and any optional veggies like bell peppers and black olives.
- Bake until bubbly: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. For extra crispiness, optionally broil the casserole for 1 to 2 minutes—watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving hot.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for sausage or beef for a lighter option.
- Feel free to customize toppings with your favorite pizza veggies like mushrooms, onions, or jalapeños.
- Broiling at the end is optional but gives the cheese a nice golden crisp.
- Ensure to watch the casserole closely during broiling to avoid burning.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; increase baking time if starting from cold.
