Description
This Pizza Tot Casserole combines the cheesy, saucy flavors of pizza with crispy golden tater tots for the ultimate comfort food. Perfect for weeknight dinners, parties, or potlucks!
Ingredients
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups pizza sauce or marinara
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Optional toppings: mushrooms, bell peppers, black olives, jalapeños
- Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the meat – In a skillet, brown ground beef (or sausage) with onion and garlic until cooked through. Drain excess grease.
- Add sauce – Stir in pizza sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Assemble casserole – Spread meat mixture evenly in the baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella cheese over the top. Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer.
- Bake – Place in the oven for 25–30 minutes, until tots are golden and crispy.
- Final toppings – Remove from oven, top with remaining cheese, pepperoni, and extra toppings. Bake an additional 5 minutes until cheese melts.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, bake tater tots on a sheet pan first, then layer onto casserole.
- Swap beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Make it vegetarian by skipping the meat and adding more veggies.
- Use cauliflower tots for a lower-carb variation.
- Add red pepper flakes for a little spicy kick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes