Cheesy Pizza Tot Casserole (Print Version)

Comforting casserole with crispy tater tots, savory pizza sauce, and melty cheese. A crowd-pleasing twist on traditional pizza night.

# 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
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 additional olive oil.
02 - Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer across the bottom of the prepared dish. Drizzle evenly with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Bake for 20 minutes until lightly golden and beginning to crisp.
03 - Remove dish from oven. Spread pizza sauce evenly over the partially cooked tater tots. Sprinkle dried oregano, basil, and garlic powder over the sauce.
04 - Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the sauce. Distribute pepperoni, black olives, bell pepper, and red onion evenly across the surface. Top with remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese.
05 - Return casserole to oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes until cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and beginning to turn golden brown.
06 - Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow cheese to set and make portioning easier.

# Insider Tips:

01 -
  • It transforms humble freezer staples into something that tastes like it came from a pizza joint
  • The crispy tater tot bottom soaks up all that seasoned sauce while staying satisfyingly crunchy
  • You can customize the toppings based on what is languishing in your crisper drawer
02 -
  • Skip the temptation to add raw mushrooms directly as they release too much water and make the tots soggy, so saute them first or use pre-cooked ones
  • The resting period is crucial because cutting into it immediately will cause the cheese to slide right off the tots
03 -
  • Line your baking dish with foil before greasing for incredibly easy cleanup afterward
  • If the cheese is browning too quickly, tent the dish loosely with foil for the last 5-10 minutes of baking

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