Description
Pizza Tot Casserole is a comforting and delicious baked dish combining crispy tater tots, flavorful Italian sausage, rich pizza sauce, and gooey cheese. This layered casserole is topped with classic pizza ingredients like pepperoni, olives, bell peppers, and mushrooms, making it a perfect easy meal for family gatherings or game days.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Layer
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
Meat and Sauce
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage (or ground beef)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheeses
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Toppings
- 1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced (optional)
- 1/4 cup green bell pepper, diced (optional)
- 1/4 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground Italian sausage until it’s well browned. Drain any excess grease to keep the casserole from becoming too oily.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage. Cook for 2-3 minutes until they become fragrant and softened, enhancing the dish’s flavor.
- Add Sauce and Seasonings: Stir in the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if you prefer a bit of heat. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors together.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Spread half of the frozen tater tots evenly on the bottom as the first layer.
- Add Meat Mixture and Cheese: Pour the cooked sausage mixture over the tater tots, then sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese to create a cheesy, savory layer.
- Layer Remaining Tots and Cheeses: Top the meat and cheese layer with the remaining tater tots, then cover with shredded cheddar cheese and the remaining mozzarella cheese for a gooey, melty topping.
- Add Toppings: Scatter the mini pepperoni slices, black olives, diced green bell pepper, and sliced mushrooms evenly across the top to mimic classic pizza flavors.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the dish uncovered into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden, and the tater tots are crispy on the outside.
- Garnish and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly after baking. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef for the Italian sausage if preferred.
- Feel free to omit any optional vegetables or add your favorite pizza toppings.
- For extra crispiness, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and baked when ready to serve.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
