Who says you can’t have pizza and tots in the same dish? This Tater Tot Pizza Casserole recipe is about to change your dinner game forever. With layers of ground beef, pizza sauce, melty cheese, and crispy golden tater tots, it’s everything you love about pizza with a fun and hearty twist. Whether it’s a weeknight meal or a cozy weekend dinner, this dish is bound to be a crowd-pleaser.
Why You’ll Love This Tater Tot Pizza Casserole Recipe
This Tater Tot Pizza Casserole is your go-to when you want something easy, cheesy, and totally satisfying. It’s a kid-friendly hit, freezer-friendly, and endlessly customizable. Add your favorite pizza toppings pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers you name it. It’s got the crunchy comfort of French fry casserole and the cheesy satisfaction of a pizza pie. Plus, it only takes a few pantry staples and a little love.
Pure Comfort
There’s nothing more comforting than a big scoop of this Tater Tot Pizza Casserole straight out of the oven. It’s hot, cheesy, savory, and full of pizza flavor topped with crispy golden tater tots for that perfect bite. It brings back childhood memories of pizza night but with an upgraded, heartier twist.
Ingredients for Tater Tot Pizza Casserole
To make this irresistible Tater Tot Pizza Casserole, you’ll need:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 package frozen tater tots (about 32 oz)
- Optional toppings: sliced pepperoni, chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, olives
What You Need
Kitchen Tools
- Large skillet
- 9×13 baking dish
- Mixing spoon or spatula
- Oven-safe mitts
If you’ve got a baking dish and a skillet, you’re already halfway there. Bonus points if you’ve got a pizza stone for crispy reheating later.
Time to Cook Tater Tot Pizza Casserole
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Quick, satisfying, and totally worth every minute.
Steps to Make Tater Tot Pizza Casserole
1. Brown the Meat
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with diced onions until no longer pink. Drain excess grease.
2. Add the Flavor
Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour in the pizza sauce and stir until well combined. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes.
3. Layer It Up
Pour the meat mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish. Spread evenly. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the top.
4. Top with Tater Tots
Arrange tater tots in a single layer over the cheese. Press down lightly.
5. Bake
Bake in a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for 30–35 minutes, until the tots are golden and crispy.
6. Optional Finish
For extra cheesy goodness, add a final sprinkle of mozzarella in the last 5 minutes of baking.
Make Tater Tot Pizza Casserole Perfect
Want a crispy top and a bubbly center? Broil for the last 2–3 minutes but watch closely! Don’t skimp on the seasoning either. A little garlic powder or red pepper flakes can take your Tater Tot Pizza Casserole to a whole new level.
Pro tip: This pairs deliciously with a tangy dip like ranch or spicy marinara just like the one we recommend in Jalapeño Popper Meatloaf with Ranch Drizzle.
Mix Tater Tot Pizza Casserole Up
This recipe is a playground for your pizza cravings:
- Swap ground beef for sausage, ground turkey, or plant-based crumbles
- Use Alfredo sauce instead of red sauce for a white pizza twist
- Add veggies like spinach, zucchini, or roasted tomatoes
- Craving a spicy kick? Add jalapeños or red pepper flakes
For another creative mashup, don’t miss this Big Mac Smash Tacos it’s fast-food meets home-cooked delight.
Perfect Partners
Serve it with:
- A crisp green salad with Italian dressing
- Garlic breadsticks
- Mozzarella-stuffed crescent rolls
- A chilled glass of soda, beer, or even sweet tea
Busy Day Hero
This dish is a lifesaver when you’re short on time. Brown the meat in the morning, assemble at night, and dinner’s on the table in under 40 minutes. You can even make and freeze it ahead for an even quicker weeknight win.
Work Ahead
Make the beef mixture a day or two in advance and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, just assemble and toss it in the oven. Even the tater tots can be laid out ahead of time.
For more make-ahead meal magic, check out this Easy Baked Taco Lasagne a total hit with minimal effort.
Save Some For Later
Let leftovers cool completely, then store in an airtight container:
- Refrigerate for up to 3 days
- Freeze for up to 2 months
To reheat, bake at 350°F until warmed through or use the air fryer to re-crisp the tots.
Everyone’s Happy
From picky toddlers to grown-up foodies, Tater Tot Pizza Casserole gets the thumbs-up every time. It’s cheesy, crispy, and packed with pizza flavor. What’s not to love?
Good For You Too
It’s not a salad, sure but you can sneak in some goodness! Add bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms for extra nutrients. Choose a low-sodium sauce or part-skim cheese to lighten it up.
Easy Clean Up
One pan for beef, one dish for baking. That’s it. Line your baking dish with foil if you want to make cleanup a breeze. And no sticky dough or floury mess like traditional pizza!
Switch Tater Tot Pizza Casserole Up
Want something even wilder? Try:
- A BBQ Chicken Tater Tot Pizza Casserole
- A Breakfast version with scrambled eggs and bacon
- Taco-style with salsa, beans, and cheddar
Think outside the box! Like with our Tater Tot Pizza Casserole, food is more fun when it breaks the rules.
Simply Perfect Tater Tot Pizza Casserole
Sometimes, the best meals come from combining two favorites. Pizza + tater tots = love. Simple ingredients, easy prep, and guaranteed smiles at the table. That’s the beauty of Tater Tot Pizza Casserole.
FAQs for Tater Tot Pizza Casserole
1. Can I make Tater Tot Pizza Casserole ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the meat mixture and layer the dish. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
2. Can I use different cheese?
Totally! Try cheddar, provolone, Monterey Jack, or even a spicy pepper jack for some heat.
3. Is this freezer-friendly?
Absolutely. Just wrap the unbaked or baked casserole well and freeze for up to 2 months.
4. Can I make this vegetarian?
Use plant-based ground “meat” and load up on veggies like mushrooms, peppers, and olives.
5. How do I make it spicier?
Add red pepper flakes, jalapeños, or spicy Italian sausage to the beef mix.
6. Can I add toppings after baking?
Of course! Sprinkle fresh herbs, more cheese, or even a drizzle of ranch or hot sauce.
Conclusion
Tater Tot Pizza Casserole is everything we love about comfort food rolled into one dish. It’s cheesy, hearty, fun, and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or prepping lunches for the week, this recipe checks every box. Try it once, and it’ll be part of your regular rotation just like your favorite pizza.
For more easy, family-friendly casseroles and comfort meals, check out Rita’s full collection of ground beef and casserole recipes!
Happy cooking with Rita chef ❤️!
Print
Tater Tot Pizza Casserole
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A delicious Tater Tot Pizza Casserole packed with ground beef, mozzarella, pizza sauce, and crispy tater tots for an easy, cheesy dinner favorite.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1½ cups pizza sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 package frozen tater tots (about 32 oz)
Optional: sliced pepperoni, diced bell peppers, mushrooms, olives
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until browned.
Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well and cook for 1–2 more minutes.
Pour in the pizza sauce and stir to combine. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes.
Spread the meat mixture evenly in a greased 9×13 baking dish.
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the meat mixture.
Top with frozen tater tots arranged in a single layer.
Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes or until the tots are crispy and golden.
Optionally, sprinkle extra cheese over the top in the last 5 minutes of baking.
Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Swap ground beef for ground turkey or sausage. Add your favorite pizza toppings like olives or mushrooms. For extra crispiness, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 75mg