Description
Pizza Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting, family-friendly dish that combines the bold flavors of pizza with the crispy, golden texture of tater tots. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, casual gatherings, or when you want something hearty and satisfying without making traditional pizza dough. This casserole layers seasoned meat, rich pizza sauce, vegetables, and melted cheese under a crispy potato topping, creating a complete meal in one dish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 mild Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 sweet onion, chopped
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 1 cup white button mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans pizza sauce (8 oz each)
- 1 package frozen tater tots (about 800 g)
- 1/4 cup pepperoni slices
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef, sausage, cook for about 7 minutes.
- Add mushrooms, onion, garlic, and green pepper, cook 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Stir in pizza sauce and mix well.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- Spread the meat and sauce mixture evenly in the dish.
- Arrange frozen tater tots on top in a single layer.
- Bake for 40 minutes.
- Remove from oven, add mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.
- Return to oven and bake 5 more minutes until cheese melts.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning on top and serve hot.
Notes
Serve hot with a simple salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to set properly. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best texture or microwave for convenience. You can freeze the casserole before or after baking for up to 2 months.