LipomSide dishes & more
Easy Dinner Ideas

Tater Tot Pizza Casserole

Tater Tot Pizza Casserole combines crispy tater tots, savory sausage, pizza sauce, and melty cheese in one easy, family-friendly dinner.

Prep
10 min
Cook
30 min
Serves
6 servings
Calories
400
Tater Tot Pizza Casserole

When you’re craving pizza flavors but want something a little more hearty and fun, this Tater Tot Pizza Casserole recipe is the answer. My family loves this one too, and with crispy tots, savory sausage, and loads of cheese, it’s definitely part of our dinner rotation.

serving tater tot pepperoni pizza casserole being lifted with tons of cheese.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 1 lb ground Italian sausage
  • ½ cup diced yellow onion
  • 1 jar (14 oz) pizza sauce
  • ½ of a 32 oz bag frozen tater tots, kept frozen
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • ½ cup quartered pepperoni slices
  • 1 small can (4 oz) sliced mushrooms, drained
  • I bake mine in a 10-inch cast iron skillet, but you could easily make it in a 9×13 baking dish if you want to feed a bigger crowd. Just keep in mind that you might need a few more tater tots to cover the top!

If you’re a fan of all things tater tot, make sure to also try this Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole for a spicy, cheesy favorite worth rotating in.

How to Make Tater Tot Pizza Casserole

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. In a large ovenproof skillet, like a 10-inch cast iron pan, cook the Italian sausage and diced onion over medium-high heat.

Break apart the sausage as it cooks and stir frequently until browned and fully cooked. If needed, drain any excess grease from the pan.

Once the meat is cooked, stir in the pizza sauce and mix well. Spread the mixture evenly across the bottom of the skillet.

pizza with meat mixture in cast iron pan.

Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sausage layer, then arrange a single layer of frozen tater tots across the top.

Next, sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella cheese evenly over the tater tots. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, then top with quartered pepperoni slices and drained mushrooms.

layered tater tots, cheese, pepperoni, and mushrooms.

Bake the casserole uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the tater tots are golden and crispy.

Serve hot and enjoy.

layered cast iron casserole with tater tots.

Simple Tricks for Even Better Results

For a crisper topping, keep the tater tots frozen right up until you layer them on the casserole. If you want a deeper pizza flavor, swap regular sauce for a spicier version or add extra seasoning like garlic powder and red pepper flakes.

Customize your pizza tater tot casserole by adding more of your favorite toppings like cooked bacon, diced bell peppers, olives, or extra pepperoni for a meatier version.

serving up pepperoni casserole.

For another fun twist, try this BBQ Tater Tot Casserole that uses barbecue sauce and ground beef for a totally different take on a tot bake.

Easy Side Dishes to Complete Your Meal

This hearty pepperoni tater tot pizza casserole pairs well with simple sides like a big green salad or some buttery garlic breadsticks.

For a fun game day spread, serve it alongside frozen mozzarella sticks , cheesy bread dip, or even a veggie tray with ranch dressing. Whether you call it a pizza tot casserole or a hot tot casserole, it’s sure to be called a dinner hit!

great and easy dinner perfect for families, this tater tot pizza casserole is done quickly.

If you like this one, you’ll love the Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole which is loaded with beef, cheese, and crispy tots in every bite.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Leftover casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat individual portions in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes to keep the tater tots crispy. You can microwave it too, but the tots will be a little softer. Looking for a brunch version?

Try this Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole which is perfect for weekend mornings or holiday guests.

bite of this casserole dinner recipe on a fork.

📌Save on Pinterest

Don’t forget to save this Pepperoni tater tot casserole on Pinterest so you’ve got it handy the next time you need a quick, easy, and cheesy dinner everyone will love.

Ingredients

6 servings

Equipment

  • 10 inch Cast Iron Pan

Steps

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven to 400°F.

  2. 2

    In a large ovenproof skillet (such as a 10-inch cast iron), cook the Italian sausage and diced onion over medium-high heat. Break up the sausage as it cooks and stir often until fully browned. Drain excess grease if needed.

  3. 3

    Add the pizza sauce to the skillet and stir to combine. Spread the mixture evenly across the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat and sauce layer.

  4. 4

    Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer on top of the cheese. Do not thaw the tots before baking. Add the remaining 2 cups of shredded mozzarella evenly over the tater tots. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Top with quartered pepperoni slices and drained mushrooms.

  5. 5

    Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the tater tots are crisp and golden. Let sit for a few minutes before serving hot.

Nutrition

Calories
400

Estimates for one serving.

Filed under Easy Dinner Ideas Casserole Side Dishes

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