Cheesy Pizza Tot Casserole (Print Version)
Layered casserole featuring crispy tater tots, savory pizza sauce, and classic toppings for a crowd-pleasing meal.
# What You Need:
→ Base
01 - 32 oz bag frozen tater tots
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Sauce
03 - 2 cups pizza sauce
04 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
05 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
→ Cheese
07 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Toppings
10 - 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
11 - 1/2 cup sliced black olives
12 - 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
13 - 1/4 cup diced red onion
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a light coating of oil.
02 - Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer across the prepared baking dish. Drizzle evenly with olive oil. Bake for 20 minutes until lightly golden and starting to crisp.
03 - Remove dish from oven. Spread pizza sauce evenly over the partially baked tater tots. Sprinkle with dried oregano, dried basil, and garlic powder.
04 - Top with half of the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Distribute pepperoni, black olives, diced bell pepper, and red onion across the surface. Finish with remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and grated Parmesan.
05 - Return to oven and bake for 20 additional minutes, or until cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and golden brown with crispy edges.
06 - Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow layers to set for easier scooping.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It captures everything people love about pizza but transforms it into something more comforting and hearty
- The crispy tater tot bottom creates this incredible texture contrast that nobody sees coming
02 -
- The initial bake of the tater tots is non negotiable if you want that crispy texture instead of mushy potatoes
- Letting it rest for those five minutes seems impossible but it makes serving so much cleaner
03 -
- Spread the tater tots in a truly single layer, overlapping them creates soggy spots nobody wants
- Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre bagged for better melting and flavor