Name: Pizza Tot Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-491719H50M52S
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American-Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb Italian Sausage (sweet or mild, bulk with casings removed); 1 jar (14-16 oz) Thick Pizza Sauce (marinara); 1 large Bell Pepper, diced (green or red); 1 small Onion, diced (yellow or white); 3-4 oz Pepperoni slices (divided); 32 oz Frozen Tater Tots (keep frozen until assembly); 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded (low-moisture, part-skim); 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated; 1 tsp Italian Seasoning (dried basil and oregano blend)

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Introduction

Pizza Tot Casserole is a comforting, family-friendly dish that combines the flavors of a supreme pizza with the crispy delight of tater tots. Easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection, it’s a delicious way to satisfy pizza cravings without ordering out.

A white rectangular baking dish is filled with a layered tater tot casserole. The bottom layer is made of a rich red tomato sauce, evenly spread across the dish. On top of the sauce, there is a generous layer of melted cheese with stretchy, white and yellow textures mixed together. Slices of dark red pepperoni are scattered evenly over the cheese layer. Around the edges of the dish, golden-brown crispy tater tots are arranged in a single row, framing the casserole. The dish is sprinkled with small bits of green herbs across the top. It is placed on a surface with a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or mild, bulk with casings removed)
1 jar (14-16 oz) thick pizza sauce (marinara)
1 large bell pepper, diced (green for classic supreme look or red for sweetness)
1 small onion, diced (yellow or white)
3-4 oz pepperoni slices, divided
32 oz frozen tater tots (keep frozen until assembly)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (low-moisture, part-skim)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning (dried basil and oregano blend)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage, diced onion, and bell pepper. Break the meat apart with a wooden spoon and cook for 6–8 minutes until the sausage is browned and the veggies are soft. Drain the grease to prevent an oily casserole.
Step 2: Stir the pizza sauce, half of the chopped pepperoni slices, and Italian seasoning into the meat mixture. Let it bubble for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
Step 3: Pour the meat and sauce mixture into a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the hot meat sauce to create a gooey barrier that helps keep the tots crisp.
Step 4: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese, placing them neatly to ensure good air circulation for maximum crispiness.
Step 5: Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes until the tots are deep golden brown and crispy.
Step 6: Remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese along with the rest of the pepperoni slices over the tots. Return to the oven for 5 minutes to melt the cheese and crisp the pepperoni edges. Finally, top with grated Parmesan and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

Use bulk Italian sausage with fennel and garlic for authentic pizza flavor without extra seasoning.
For a leaner option, swap Italian sausage with ground turkey or chicken sausage and add 1 tsp fennel seeds and garlic powder to the meat.
Double the bell peppers and add mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini to increase veggies and fiber.
For a low-carb twist, use cauliflower or broccoli tots instead of potato tots.
Choose a thick pizza sauce to avoid a watery casserole; simmer thin sauces before use to thicken.
Keep the top cheese and pepperoni for the last 5 minutes to avoid soggy tots and burnt cheese.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in an air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes to crisp the tots, or use the oven at 350°F for 15 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it causes tots to become soggy. You can also freeze the baked casserole; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat covered in the oven, uncovering at the end to crisp.

How to Serve

A white rectangular baking dish filled with a tater tot casserole that has three distinct layers. The bottom layer is a rich, red tomato sauce that peeks through the edges, topped by a layer of melted cheddar and mozzarella cheese mixed with shredded chicken, creating a creamy and slightly browned texture. The top layer consists of golden brown, crispy tater tots arranged carefully around the edge, forming a border. Scattered pepperoni slices, which are deep red with a glossy surface, are spread evenly across the cheesy middle, and small green herbs are sprinkled over the whole dish, adding a touch of color against the rich cheeses and sauce. The dish sits on a white marbled texture surface, with soft light highlighting the crispiness and melted cheese. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use ground beef instead of sausage?

Yes, you can use lean ground beef (90/10). Since beef is milder, add 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, and extra Italian seasoning while browning to boost flavor.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can prepare the meat sauce base ahead and refrigerate it. However, do not assemble the casserole with frozen tots until you’re ready to bake, as the tots will thaw and get soggy if left on the sauce too long.