Say hello to the ultimate comfort food mashup: Tater Tot Pizza Casserole! Imagine crispy golden tater tots layered over saucy, cheesy pizza goodness—all baked into one bubbling, satisfying casserole that’s basically a hug in a pan. Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd, wrangling picky eaters, or just craving something hearty and fun, this recipe brings the big flavors with none of the fuss.
It’s savory, gooey, crispy, and loaded with all your favorite pizza toppings. The best part? It’s totally customizable. Want it meatless? Go heavy on the veggies. Feeling indulgent? Add extra cheese and pepperoni. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll be making it on repeat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Combines pizza night and comfort food in one dish
- Kid-friendly, crowd-pleasing, and weeknight-approved
- Crispy tater tot topping = major texture goals
- Customizable with your favorite pizza toppings
- Freezer-friendly and great for leftovers (if you have any!)
Ingredients
For the Casserole Base
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 cup (240ml) pizza sauce
For the Toppings
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 package (32 oz) frozen tater tots
- ¼ cup sliced pepperoni
- ¼ cup sliced black olives (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped green bell pepper (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped red onion (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
Step 3: Season the Meat
Stir in salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and basil. Then add the pizza sauce and mix until everything is well combined and simmering. Let it cook for 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly.
Step 4: Layer It Up
Pour the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat layer.
Step 5: Add Tater Tots
Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese. Don’t worry if they’re packed in—it’s part of the magic!
Step 6: Add Toppings
Scatter pepperoni slices, olives, bell pepper, and red onion on top of the tater tots for that full pizza effect.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 8: Cool & Serve
Let the casserole sit for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving. That way, all the cheesy layers hold together beautifully.
Tips for Pizza Casserole Success
- Use seasoned tater tots for an extra flavor boost
- Want it cheesier? Add a layer of cheese on top of the tater tots for a melty topping
- Spice it up with jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes
- Make it ahead: assemble in the morning, bake when you’re ready for dinner
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! Just season well to keep those bold pizza flavors.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Totally—skip the meat and load it up with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or more bell peppers.
Do I need to thaw the tater tots first?
Nope! Use them straight from the freezer for max crispiness.
Conclusion
This Tater Tot Pizza Casserole is everything you love about pizza night—cheesy, saucy, satisfying—layered with crispy tots for a fun twist. It’s cozy comfort food that comes together with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness. Perfect for game day, weeknights, or anytime you’re craving a family-friendly dinner that delivers.
So grab your casserole dish and your favorite toppings—it’s time to pizza-party the tater tot way!
Print
Tater Tot Pizza Casserole
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Description
Tater Tot Pizza Casserole is the ultimate comfort food mashup! Combining the cheesy, savory flavors of a classic pizza with the crispy, golden goodness of tater tots, this dish is an easy weeknight winner packed with flavor and fun.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 cup (240ml) pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 package (32 oz) frozen tater tots
- 1/4 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, and pizza sauce. Simmer for 3–5 minutes.
- Spread the beef mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the beef mixture.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese.
- Sprinkle remaining mozzarella over the tater tots. Top with pepperoni slices, and optional olives, bell pepper, and red onion if using.
- Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, or until the tots are crispy and golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Customize toppings just like a pizza—mushrooms, sausage, or jalapeños work great!
- Swap mozzarella for a pizza blend or provolone for extra flavor.
- This dish is also great for prepping ahead and reheating leftovers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg