If you love pizza and tater tots, this Pizza Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food mash-up! With crispy tater tots, melty cheese, and a savory pizza-style topping, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights, game days, or potlucks.
This easy-to-make casserole features layers of seasoned ground beef or sausage, rich tomato sauce, gooey mozzarella, and crispy tater tots—all baked to perfection. Serve it with a side salad or garlic bread for a fun and satisfying meal!
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Large skillet
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients Overview
- Tater Tots: Crispy, golden, and a fun twist on a classic pizza crust.
- Ground Beef or Sausage: Adds a hearty, savory base.
- Pizza Sauce: Brings rich, classic pizza flavor.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Makes the casserole gooey and cheesy.
- Pepperoni & Toppings: Customize with your favorite pizza-style additions.
Ingredients (Serves 6-8)
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 (15 oz) jar pizza sauce (or marinara)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup sliced pepperoni
- ¼ cup sliced black olives (optional)
- ¼ cup diced bell peppers (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
Directions
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare the Casserole Base
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Cook the Meat
In a large skillet, cook ground beef or sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease, then stir in Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and pizza sauce. Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
Step 3: Assemble the Casserole
Spread the meat mixture evenly in the baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella cheese over the meat. Arrange tater tots in a single layer on top.
Step 4: Bake the Casserole
Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, or until tater tots are golden and crispy.
Step 5: Add Pizza Toppings & Bake Again
Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, olives, bell peppers, and Parmesan cheese on top. Bake for 5-7 more minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy
Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with red pepper flakes or fresh basil if desired.
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Total Time
40 minutes
Nutrition (per serving, ~8 servings)
- Calories: ~400
- Fat: ~22g
- Carbohydrates: ~35g
- Protein: ~18g
Expert Tips
- For Extra Crispiness: Bake the tater tots for 10 minutes before assembling the casserole.
- For a Low-Carb Version: Swap tater tots for cauliflower tots or zucchini rounds.
- For a Meat-Free Option: Use sautéed mushrooms and extra veggies instead of ground meat.
FAQs
Can I use fresh potatoes instead of tater tots?
Yes! Use thinly sliced or shredded potatoes, but pre-bake them for crispiness.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the casserole (without baking), cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake as directed.
What other toppings can I add?
Try cooked bacon, jalapeños, ham, pineapple, or extra veggies.
Storing & Freezing
- Storing: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze baked casserole in portions for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15 minutes.
Substitutions & Variations
- Spicy Version: Add chopped jalapeños or spicy sausage.
- Cheese Lovers’ Option: Mix in cheddar or provolone with mozzarella.
- BBQ Pizza Twist: Replace pizza sauce with BBQ sauce and add grilled chicken.
Pizza Tot Casserole
Equipment
- - Large skillet
- - 9x13-inch baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- - Wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- - 1 32 oz bag frozen tater tots
- - 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- - ½ teaspoon onion powder
- - 1 15 oz jar pizza sauce (or marinara)
- - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- - ½ cup sliced pepperoni
- - ¼ cup sliced black olives optional
- - ¼ cup diced bell peppers optional
- - ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- #### **Step 1: Preheat & Prepare the Casserole Base**
- Preheat oven to **375°F (190°C)**. Lightly grease a **9x13-inch baking dish**.
- #### **Step 2: Cook the Meat**
- In a large skillet, cook **ground beef or sausage** over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease, then stir in **Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and pizza sauce**. Simmer for **2 minutes**, then remove from heat.
- #### **Step 3: Assemble the Casserole**
- Spread the **meat mixture** evenly in the baking dish. Sprinkle **1 cup mozzarella cheese** over the meat. Arrange **tater tots** in a single layer on top.
- #### **Step 4: Bake the Casserole**
- Bake uncovered for **25 minutes**, or until tater tots are golden and crispy.
- #### **Step 5: Add Pizza Toppings & Bake Again**
- Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining **mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, olives, bell peppers, and Parmesan cheese** on top. Bake for **5-7 more minutes**, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- #### **Step 6: Serve & Enjoy**
- Let the casserole cool for **5 minutes** before serving. Garnish with **red pepper flakes or fresh basil** if desired.
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