Tater Tot Pizza Casserole Recipe
This Tater Tot Pizza Casserole combines crispy tots, savory meat, rich pizza sauce, and gooey cheese into one oven-baked dish. It’s a quick, crowd-pleasing twist on traditional pizza night.
Ingredients
- 1 32 oz bag frozen tater tots
- 1 lb ground beef or sausage
- 1½ cups pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup cheddar cheese optional, for extra richness
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 20 –30 slices pepperoni optional
- Optional toppings: sliced mushrooms diced bell peppers, black olives, jalapeños
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray or a little oil.
- In a skillet, cook 1 lb of ground beef or sausage over medium heat. Add Italian seasoning, garlic powder (optional), salt, and pepper. Cook until the meat is browned, about 7–8 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in 1½ cups of pizza sauce with the meat. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes. Spoon the meat mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
- Sprinkle 2 cups of mozzarella cheese on top, and add ½ cup of cheddar cheese if you like. Add your favorite toppings like pepperoni or veggies.
- Place frozen tater tots on top, covering the whole dish.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy. For extra crispiness, broil for 2–3 minutes, but watch closely to avoid burning.
- Let the casserole sit for 5–10 minutes before serving to let it set.