Pizza Tater Tot Casserole
Pizza Tater Tot Casserole: A Quick and Kid-Friendly Meal
Are you looking for a meal that’s not only easy to prepare but also a guaranteed hit with the kids? Look no further than this Pizza Tater Tot Casserole! With its cheesy goodness, savory sausage, pepperoni, and crispy tater tots, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you just don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, it’s inexpensive and quick to throw together, making it an ideal option for any family.
One of the best aspects of this casserole is its simplicity. With minimal prep time and ingredients, you can whip up a delicious meal that satisfies even the pickiest eaters. Additionally, it’s versatile—you can easily customize it with your favorite pizza toppings. Whether it’s a last-minute dinner or a fun family meal, this recipe checks all the boxes! And if you have spent any time on my blog, you know that we are family that loves anything “pizza” related and we also love our tater tot casseroles! So check out these other great recipes while you are here!
Stuffed Crust Meat Lovers Pizza
Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients:
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
- 1 pound Italian sausage (or your preferred ground meat)
- 1 ounce chopped pepperoni slices
- 14 ounces pizza sauce
- 1 tablespoon pizza and pasta seasoning blend (optional)
- 8 slices mozzarella cheese
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 ounce pepperoni slices (for topping)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Any additional toppings, such as onions, peppers, black olives, etc
Directions:
This is just a summary, the full recipe is below. First, preheat your oven to 425°F. Spread a 32-ounce bag of frozen tater tots on a sheet pan. Once your oven is preheated, pop the tater tots in the oven. This will give them a head start while you prepare the meat mixture.
While the tater tots are baking, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 pound of Italian sausage and cook until it’s browned. This should take about 5-7 minutes. As the sausage cooks, break it apart with a spatula for even cooking.
Stir in 1 ounce of chopped pepperoni slices. If you’d like to add any other toppings—such as bacon, ham, onions, bell peppers, or black olives—now is the perfect time to toss them in. Sauté everything together for a few minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened.
Once the meat and any vegetables are cooked, pour in a 14-ounce jar of pizza sauce. Stir in 1 tablespoon of pizza and pasta seasoning blend if you’re using it. Allow the mixture to simmer for a couple of minutes so the flavors meld together. This is the seasoning I used. It is absolutely not necessary, just something I found and we really like!
Remove the tater tots from the oven and set them aside. Layer 8 slices of mozzarella cheese on top of the meat mixture. If your pan is not oven-safe, transfer to a 9×13 baking dish first. Then, carefully place the tater tots over the cheese layer.
Sprinkle an 8-ounce bag of shredded mozzarella cheese over the tater tots, but be sure to set aside 1 tablespoon for later. Next, add another ounce of pepperoni slices on top, followed by the reserved mozzarella and a sprinkle of 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Finally, place the casserole in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese is completely melted and the edges are bubbling
Once your Pizza Tater Tot Casserole is out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This dish is hearty enough that I serve it on its own, but a nice salad would go great with it!
If you do make this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating! I love hearing from you and it helps so much! Thank you!
Pizza Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 32 oz Frozen Tater Tots
- 1 lb Italian Sausage
- 2 oz Pepperoni Slices divided
- 14 oz Pizza Sauce
- 1 tbsp Pizza and Pasta Seasoning completely optional, see above for information
- 7-8 Slices Mozzarella Cheese
- 8 oz Shredded Mozzarella Cheese set aside 1 tbsp
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- Any additional toppings, such as bacon, ham, onions, peppers, black olives, jalapenos, etc
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Place the frozen tater tots on a sheet pan and put them in the oven while you prepare everything else.
- In a skillet, brown the Italian sausage over medium heat. Chop up 1/2 of the pepperoni slices and add them in. If you are adding any additional toppings, add them in as well.
- Stir in the pizza sauce and (optional) 1 tbsp pizza seasoning. Simmer for a few minutes.
- Layer the slices of mozzarella cheese over the meat. (If you are not using an oven safe pan, transfer to a 9×13 baking dish first). Top with the tater tots.
- Sprinkle on the shredded mozzarella cheese, add more pepperoni slices, and finish with the Italian seasoning.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and the edges are bubbly.
