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

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**.

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Ingredients Equipment Method

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

Equipment

- Large skillet
- 9x13-inch baking dish
Mixing bowls
Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula

Method

#### **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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