Tater Tot Pizza Casserole Recipe
This Tater Tot Pizza Casserole is a beloved family-friendly dish that combines crispy tater tots with savory pizza sauce, melted mozzarella and cheddar cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings. Baked to perfection, it offers a fun and comforting twist on traditional pizza, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 (32 oz / 900 g) bag frozen tater tots
- 2 cups (480 ml) pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups (170 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) sliced pepperoni
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Optional Add-Ins
- ½ lb (225 g) cooked ground beef or sausage
- ¼ cup diced bell peppers
- ¼ cup sliced black olives
- ¼ cup diced onions
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Parbake Tater Tots: Spread half of the tater tots evenly across the bottom of the greased baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil to help them crisp up nicely, then bake for 15 minutes to slightly crisp the tots before assembling the casserole.
- Assemble the Layers: Remove the dish from the oven. Pour the pizza sauce evenly over the pre-baked tater tots. If using optional cooked meat or vegetables, add them now. Next, sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses evenly over the sauce layer. Arrange the remaining tater tots on top, and then sprinkle with dried oregano, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to enhance the flavor.
- Final Bake with Pepperoni: Bake the casserole uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown. In the last 5 minutes of baking, add the sliced pepperoni on top and bake until the pepperoni crisps up perfectly.
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley or a drizzle of ranch dressing if desired for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- You can customize the casserole by adding your favorite pizza toppings such as olives, bell peppers, onions, or cooked sausage.
- Using olive oil on the tater tots helps achieve a crispier texture.
- Letting the casserole rest before serving ensures cleaner slices and easier handling.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and pepperoni or use plant-based alternatives.
- This dish reheats well, making it a great option for leftovers.
Keywords: Tater Tot Pizza Casserole, Pizza Casserole, Tater Tots, Family Friendly Casserole, Easy Dinner Recipe, Comfort Food
Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/tater-tot-pizza-casserole-recipe-2/