Pizza Tater Tot Casserole: A Quick and Kid-Friendly Meal
Looking for a simple, budget-friendly dinner that kids and adults both love? This Pizza Tater Tot Casserole combines crispy tater tots, savory Italian sausage, pepperoni, and plenty of melty mozzarella for an easy weeknight meal. It takes minimal prep, is highly customizable with your favorite pizza toppings, and comes together quickly—perfect when you need something satisfying without fuss.
Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or hosting a casual family dinner, this casserole is a winner. You can keep it plain and familiar or add vegetables and extra meats to suit your tastes. Below is a clear ingredient list and step-by-step method to make the process effortless.
Ingredients:
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
- 1 pound Italian sausage (or your preferred ground meat)
- 2 ounces pepperoni slices (divided)
- 14 ounces pizza sauce
- 1 tablespoon pizza and pasta seasoning (optional)
- 7–8 slices mozzarella cheese
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (reserve 1 tablespoon)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Optional toppings: onions, bell peppers, black olives, bacon, ham, jalapeños, etc.
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 425°F. Spread the frozen tater tots on a sheet pan and put them in the oven while you prepare the rest of the casserole so they get a head start on crisping.
While the tots bake, heat a skillet over medium heat. Brown 1 pound of Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spatula so it cooks evenly—about 5–7 minutes. Stir in 1 ounce of chopped pepperoni and any additional toppings you like (onions, peppers, bacon, etc.), and sauté a few minutes until vegetables are slightly softened.
Pour a 14-ounce jar of pizza sauce into the cooked meat and stir. If you like extra flavor, add 1 tablespoon of pizza and pasta seasoning (optional). Let the sauce simmer a couple of minutes so flavors meld.
Remove the tater tots from the oven. If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the meat mixture to a 9×13 baking dish. Layer 7–8 slices of mozzarella over the meat, then arrange the tater tots on top of the cheese.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the tater tots, reserving about 1 tablespoon for garnish. Add the remaining pepperoni slices on top and finish with the reserved shredded cheese and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and the edges are bubbly.
Allow the casserole to rest a few minutes before serving. It’s hearty enough to serve on its own, but a crisp green salad or simple vegetable side pairs nicely if you want to round out the meal.
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and rating — feedback is appreciated!
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 optional
- 7-8 Slices Mozzarella Cheese
- 8 oz Shredded Mozzarella Cheese set aside 1 tbsp
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- Any additional toppings you like
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 425°F.
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Place frozen tater tots on a sheet pan and put in the oven while preparing the rest.
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Brown the Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Chop and add half the pepperoni and any additional toppings, sautéing until vegetables are softened.
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Stir in pizza sauce and optional pizza seasoning. Simmer a few minutes to combine flavors.
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Layer mozzarella slices over the meat. Transfer to a 9×13 dish if needed. Top with the baked tater tots.
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Sprinkle shredded mozzarella, add remaining pepperoni, and finish with reserved cheese and Italian seasoning.
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Bake about 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and edges bubble. Let rest a few minutes before serving.
Notes