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Pizza Tot Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 90 reviews

Pizza Tot Casserole is a hearty, comfort food dish that combines the flavors of a supreme pizza with crispy tater tots baked to perfection. This dump-and-bake casserole features Italian sausage, pepperoni, bell peppers, onions, pizza sauce, and layers of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, all baked at high heat for a golden, crispy topping. Ideal for family dinners, it satisfies pizza cravings without the delivery hassle and is customizable for various dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

The “Pizza” Base

  • 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)

The Cheesy Core & Crust

  • 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)

Instructions

  1. The Flavor Foundation: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the Italian sausage while breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Add diced onion and bell pepper and cook for 6-8 minutes until sausage is browned and veggies are soft. Drain excess grease thoroughly to avoid an oily casserole and sauce separation.
  2. Sauce and Season: Stir in the pizza sauce, half of the chopped pepperoni slices, and Italian seasoning into the meat mixture. Let it simmer for 1 minute, then remove the skillet from heat.
  3. The Base Layer: Pour the meat and sauce mixture into a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the hot meat sauce to form a gooey barrier that prevents soggy tots.
  4. The Tot Formation: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single neat layer on top of the mozzarella cheese to maximize air circulation for crispiness.
  5. The Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered at 400°F for 35-40 minutes until the tater tots are deep golden brown and crispy.
  6. The “Supreme” Finish: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese and remaining 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.

Notes

  • Bake at 400°F rather than 350°F to achieve crispy tater tots instead of mushy ones.
  • Always drain the grease from cooked sausage and veggies to prevent a greasy casserole.
  • Add the top layer of cheese after initial baking to avoid burnt cheese and soggy tots.
  • Use a thick pizza sauce for best results to avoid watery casserole; simmer pasta sauce down if needed.
  • Store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Reheat leftovers best in an air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes to re-crisp tots, or in the oven at 350°F for 15 minutes. Avoid microwaving.
  • Freeze baked casserole by thawing overnight in the fridge before reheating covered in the oven.
  • Substitute lean proteins, add extra veggies, or use cauliflower tots to adapt for dietary needs.

Keywords: pizza casserole, tater tot casserole, supreme pizza casserole, Italian sausage casserole, baked tater tots

Find it online: https://biteandenjoy.com/pizza-tot-casserole-recipe/