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Tater Tot Pizza Casserole

A delightful blend of your favorite pizza ingredients combined with crispy, golden tater tots, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: comfort food, easy recipe, Family Dinner, Tater Tot Pizza Casserole, weeknight meals
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 450kcal

Ingredients

Meat and Aromatics

  • 1 lb ground Italian sausage or ground beef Adds richness and robust flavor.
  • 1/2 onion diced onion Balances the dish beautifully.
  • 2 cloves minced garlic Gives an aromatic kick.

Pizza Base

  • 1 1/2 cups pizza sauce or marinara Choose your favorite variety for tangy flavor.
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning Enhances pizza authenticity.
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Gooeyness that defines pizza.
  • 1 cup mini pepperoni slices Adds classic pizza touch.

Crispy Topping

  • 1 bag 32 oz frozen tater tots The crispy topping for the casserole.

Optional Seasonings

  • Crushed red pepper flakes For those who like a little heat.
  • Fresh chopped parsley or basil Brightens the dish.
  • Extra cheese Who doesn’t love more cheese?

Instructions

Cooking the Mixture

  • In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground Italian sausage and diced onion until the sausage is no longer pink and the onion is translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Stir in the pizza sauce and Italian seasoning and let simmer for about 5 minutes.

Building the Casserole

  • Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and spread the meat mixture evenly across the bottom.
  • Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the top.
  • Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
  • Sprinkle on the remaining mozzarella and layer the mini pepperoni slices.

Baking

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake the casserole for 35–40 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy. Broil for an additional 2–3 minutes if more browning is desired.

Serving

  • Sprinkle with optional crushed red pepper flakes and fresh herbs if desired. Allow the dish to sit for about 5 minutes before slicing into squares and serving.

Notes

For the perfect casserole, consider using turkey sausage for a lighter option, or mix in diced bell peppers or mushrooms with the meat. You can prepare the casserole the night before and refrigerate until baking.