Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This casserole is the ultimate fusion of flavors and textures. It features all your favorite pizza toppings—ground beef, sausage, pepperoni, green peppers, onions, and melty mozzarella cheese—layered with tangy pizza sauce and topped with crisp tater tots. It’s easy to prep, feeds a crowd, and reheats beautifully for leftovers. If you’re looking for a cozy, satisfying dish that kids and adults will devour alike, this is it.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 lb lean ground beef
1 lb Italian sausage meat, casings removed
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 medium green bell pepper, diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
3 oz pepperoni slices, chopped
14 oz pizza sauce
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
28 oz frozen tater tots

Topping:

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Additional pepperoni slices
Fresh chopped parsley

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and sausage, breaking it up as it browns. Drain excess grease.
Add diced onions and green peppers to the skillet. Sauté until they begin to soften.
Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.
Add chopped pepperoni, pizza sauce, and Italian seasoning. Stir until everything is well combined and heated through.
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread the meat mixture evenly in the bottom.
Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat.
Arrange tater tots in a single layer over the top of the cheese.
Bake for 40 minutes, until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
Remove from oven, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella on top, and place additional pepperoni slices over the cheese.
Return to oven for another 5 minutes, or until cheese is fully melted.
Let rest for a few minutes before garnishing with chopped parsley and serving.

Servings and Timing

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Variations

Meat-Free: Omit the meat and add more veggies like mushrooms, olives, or spinach.
Spicy Version: Use hot Italian sausage and add crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Extra Cheesy: Add a layer of cheddar or provolone between the meat and tater tots.
Different Sauce: Swap pizza sauce for marinara or a spicy arrabbiata for a twist.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or rewarm the entire dish in a 350°F oven until heated through. To keep tater tots crispy, reheat in an air fryer or under the broiler briefly.

FAQs

1. Can I use fresh tater tots instead of frozen?

Frozen tater tots are best for this recipe as they hold their shape and crisp up better during baking.

2. Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble the casserole up to the point of adding tater tots, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add tater tots right before baking.

3. Can I freeze this casserole?

Absolutely. Assemble the casserole, wrap it tightly, and freeze unbaked. When ready to cook, bake from frozen at 375°F for about 60 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

4. What other toppings can I add?

Try mushrooms, black olives, jalapeños, or even pineapple for a fun twist.

5. Can I use turkey or chicken instead of beef and sausage?

Yes, ground turkey or chicken works great for a lighter version.

6. Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?

Yes, replace meat with a plant-based meat alternative or more vegetables, and use a vegetarian pizza sauce.

7. Can I make this in a slow cooker?

It’s best baked in the oven for the crispy tater top, but you can make the filling in a slow cooker and finish in the oven.

8. What cheese works best besides mozzarella?

Cheddar, provolone, or a pizza blend cheese would all work well.

9. Can I use a different sauce like Alfredo?

Yes, Alfredo or even a barbecue sauce base can create fun variations.

10. How do I keep the tater tots crispy?

Bake uncovered and don’t crowd the tots. For extra crispiness, broil the top for a few minutes at the end.

Conclusion

Pizza Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food mash-up—loaded with savory pizza flavors and finished with a golden layer of tater tots. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for a unique twist on a weeknight dinner, this easy casserole delivers big on taste and fun. Serve it up hot and watch it disappear!

Pizza Tater Tot Casserole

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Pizza Tater Tot Casserole is a crowd-pleasing, cheesy comfort food dish that combines the flavors of classic pizza with the crispy texture of tater tots. Loaded with meat, veggies, and melty mozzarella, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.

Author: Amy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Halal

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a large skillet, cook ground beef and sausage over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess grease.
Add onion and bell pepper. Sauté until softened. Add garlic and cook 2 minutes more.
Stir in chopped pepperoni, pizza sauce, and Italian seasoning. Mix well and heat through.
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread meat mixture evenly in the dish.
Top with 1 cup mozzarella cheese, then arrange tater tots in a single layer on top.
Bake for 40 minutes until tater tots are golden and crispy.
Top with remaining 1 cup mozzarella and extra pepperoni. Bake an additional 5 minutes until cheese melts.
Let rest a few minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.