What happens when your two favorite guilty pleasures—pizza and tater tots—come together in one bubbling, cheesy dish? You get this insanely delicious Tater Tot Pizza Casserole. It’s loaded with savory ground meat, zesty pizza sauce, gooey mozzarella, and everyone’s favorite golden-crispy tots on top. Whether you’re feeding a crowd, pleasing picky eaters, or just want a quick weeknight win, this casserole checks all the boxes.
This dish started as a last-minute “clean-out-the-freezer” dinner, but wow—did it ever become a household sensation! My husband actually paused the TV during movie night just to say, “You’ve got to make this again.” Now, it’s our official Friday night tradition. I let the kids choose the toppings, and we all get involved in building it together. It’s part meal, part memory-making moment—and it always disappears faster than I can blink.
Why This Tater Tot Pizza Casserole Will Steal the Show
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Comfort Meets Fun: It’s got the comforting, gooey factor of a classic casserole and the playful, familiar flavors of pizza night.
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Fully Customizable: Use sausage, pepperoni, or any topping your heart (or kids) desires—think olives, bell peppers, mushrooms, or even pineapple!
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Quick Prep, Big Flavor: You’ll only need a few steps and pantry staples to pull off this crowd-pleaser.
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Tater Tots for the Win: Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside—tots make the perfect golden topper to soak up all that cheesy pizza flavor.
Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
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450g (1 lb) ground beef or Italian sausage
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1 small onion, diced (approx. 100g / 0.22 lb)
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2 garlic cloves, finely minced
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1 can (425g / 15 oz) pizza sauce
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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225g (2 cups / ~0.5 lb) shredded mozzarella cheese
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100g (1 cup / ~0.22 lb) sliced pepperoni or preferred pizza toppings
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900g (32 oz / ~2 lb) frozen tater tots
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Optional: chopped bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, black olives, or jalapeños for added flavor
Directions
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Preheat the Oven:
Set your oven to 220°C (425°F) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. -
Cook the Meat:
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or sausage until fully cooked. Drain off any excess grease. -
Sauté the Aromatics:
Add in the diced onion and garlic. Cook for about 3–4 minutes, or until the onion softens and becomes translucent. -
Simmer the Sauce:
Pour in the pizza sauce and stir in the Italian seasoning. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer for a few minutes to let the flavors come together. -
Build the Casserole:
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Spread the meat and sauce mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
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Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
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Add pepperoni slices and any other toppings you like.
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Arrange the frozen tater tots over the toppings in a single layer.
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Finish with the rest of the mozzarella sprinkled on top.
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Bake to Perfection:
Pop the dish in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden and the cheese is bubbling. -
Cool & Serve:
Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before slicing into squares. Serve hot and enjoy every cheesy, crispy bite!
Notes
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Switch Up the Cheese: Mozzarella is a classic, but mixing in cheddar, provolone, or even pepper jack can give the dish a flavorful twist.
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Make it Vegetarian: Skip the meat and load up on veggies like zucchini, spinach, or roasted red peppers.
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Spice it Up: Add crushed red pepper flakes or spicy Italian sausage if you like a kick!
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Prep Ahead: You can assemble the casserole a few hours in advance and refrigerate. Just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to bake.
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Storage: Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best texture.