Cheesy Pizza Tot Casserole (Printable)

Crispy tater tots with pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings in a comforting casserole.

# What You Need:

→ Base

01 - 1 (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 (optional)
11 - 1/2 cup sliced black olives
12 - 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
13 - 1/4 cup diced red onion

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or additional olive oil.
02 - Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer across the prepared baking dish. Drizzle olive oil evenly over the tots. Bake for 20 minutes until lightly golden and beginning to crisp.
03 - Remove the dish from the oven. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the partially baked tater tots using a spatula or the back of a spoon. Sprinkle evenly with dried oregano, dried basil, and garlic powder.
04 - Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the sauce layer. Arrange pepperoni slices, black olives, diced bell pepper, and red onion evenly across the cheese. Top with the remaining mozzarella and cheddar, then finish with grated Parmesan.
05 - Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and beginning to turn golden brown.
06 - Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the cheese to set for easier scooping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its the comfort of tater tots and pizza combined into one irresistible dish
  • Everything comes together in under an hour with minimal prep work
  • Customizable toppings mean everyone gets exactly what they crave
02 -
  • Do not skip that first bake for the tots, or you will end up with soggy disappointment instead of crispy perfection
  • Letting it rest is not optional unless you enjoy serving a chaotic mess on plates
03 -
  • Use freshly shredded cheese if you can, because the pre-shredded stuff has anti-caking agents that prevent proper melting
  • Try different cheese combinations like pepper jack for some heat or provolone for extra depth

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