Pizza Tater Casserole

Take your weeknight dinner game to the next level with this comforting and crowd-pleasing Pizza Tater Casserole! This irresistible dish combines the bold flavors of pizza with the crispy, golden perfection of tater tots for a family-friendly meal that’s as fun as it is delicious. Featuring savory layers of seasoned ground beef or Italian sausage, gooey mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, pepperoni slices, and a touch of optional veggies like green bell pepper or black olives, this casserole is baked to bubbling perfection in just 40 minutes. With simple prep and robust ingredients like garlic, Italian seasoning, and pizza sauce, this one-pan masterpiece delivers a hearty, pizza-inspired twist that’s sure to be a hit. Perfect for busy weeknights or game-day gatherings, this easy tater tot pizza bake guarantees smiles around the table!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1.5 cups pizza sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 4 ounces pepperoni slices
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 28 ounces frozen tater tots
• 0.25 cup sliced black olives (optional)
• 0.5 cup diced green bell pepper (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set it aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef (or Italian sausage) with the diced onion until the meat is fully cooked and the onions are softened, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.

Step 3

Stir the minced garlic into the cooked meat mixture and sauté for 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Stir everything together and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 5

Spread the meat and sauce mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Scatter half of the pepperoni slices on top.

Step 6

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly over the meat layer.

Step 7

Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese. For extra crispiness, avoid overlapping the tater tots.

Step 8

Scatter the remaining pepperoni slices over the tater tots. If using black olives or diced bell pepper, sprinkle them evenly over the top.

Step 9

Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the casserole is bubbly.

Step 10

Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional cheese or fresh herbs if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2318.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4600.3

Total Fat 302.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 116.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 26.2g
Cholesterol 704.2mg	0%
Sodium 11113.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 286.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 37.0g	0%
Total Sugars 33.4g
Protein 209.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2802.2mg	0%
Iron 22.7mg	0%
Potassium 6019.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.8%

Protein: 17.8%

Carbs: 24.3%