Pepperoni Pizza Tater Tot Casserole (Ground Italian Sausage)

If you’re craving a new twist to classic pizza then this Pizza Tater Tot Casserole will become a new dinnertime favorite that the whole family will love. It’s got all the best parts of a classic pepperoni pizza – melty mozzarella, pizza sauce, Italian sausage, crispy pepperoni slices – and the pizza crust are crispy tater tots. This casserole delivers big pizza flavor with zero fuss.

For more casserole dinner recipes with a fun twist for pizza night 🍕be sure and make this Pepperoni Pizza Biscuit Casserole and Pizza Pasta Casserole. 

Pizza Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

​This pizza tater tot casserole is an easy casserole recipe that is family-friendly, simple to make with easy ingredients, and it comes together quickly with one skillet pan and a casserole dish. 

It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and familiar (like pizza!) but don’t feel like kneading dough or waiting on delivery. Everything bakes in one dish, which means minimal effort but with maximum payoff, and your kitchen will smell like a pizzeria without all the hassle and mess. 

How To Make A Tater Tot Pizza Casserole (Printable Recipe Card)

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Add the olive oil into a 9×13-inch casserole dish and spread it around so it coats the bottom and sides. Set aside. 

In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground Italian sausage until it is no longer pink and fully browned; about 6-8 minutes. Drain or soak up any leftover grease from the skillet. 

Add the pizza sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper into the skillet. Stir well, and then let the mixture simmer for 8-10 minutes, until everything is blends together and it slightly thickens. 

Evenly spread the pizza sauce meat mixture into the prepared casserole dish.

Arrange the frozen tater tots in an even layer over top, making sure to keep them snug but not stacked. 

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over top the tater tots. 

Lay out as many pepperoni slices as you like across the top of the shredded cheese. 

Bake, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes. When done, the edges should be bubbling, the cheese will be melted and golden brown, and the pepperoni begins to cup and become crisp at the edges. The casserole should also feel firm and set when gently pressed in the center. 

Remove the tater tot casserole from the oven and immediately sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over top. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving hot. Enjoy!

Substitutions & Ingredient Notes

• Mild Italian Sausage : Use spicy sausage for some heat, substitute with lean ground beef for a much more mild flavor casserole, or use turkey Italian sausage. 
• Pizza Sauce : Marinara sauce or spaghetti sauce is another alternative. They’re essentially the same thing, but I prefer pizza sauce became it’s a bit sweeter than traditional pasta sauce, and I think it has more pizza flavors/spices in it. But either one works just fine and you could even use any flavor or variety of spaghetti sauce. They normally sell pizza sauce in smaller jars so I usually buy 2-3 of them to equal the 24 ounces that the recipe calls for. 
• Frozen Tater Tots : You can use regular sized tater tots or the mini tater tots; either one works just fine. 
• Mozzarella Cheese : For the best creamy flavor and taste, I highly recommend using whole fat mozzarella cheese; however, the skim or lower fat mozzarella cheese can also be used if preferred. I also like to shred the cheese from a block using a cheese grater. But again, for convenience and ease, pre shredded bagged mozzarella cheese can be used if you prefer. 

How To Store Leftover Tater Tot Casserole

• Leftovers : To store leftovers, let the casserole cool completely to room temperature. Thens tore individual portions in an airtight container, in the fridge, for up to 3-4 days. You can also keep the leftover casserole inside the baking dish for storage and cover it with a lid or plastic wrap. 
• Freezer : To freeze, make sure the casserole is in a freezer-safe container, or freezer-safe aluminum pan. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. 
• Make-Ahead Instructions : Assemble the casserole up to the baking step, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove from the fridge and bake as directed, adding an extra 5 minutes if the pan is cold from the fridge. I will usually let it sit out at room temperature for about 20 minutes before baking to avoid a really cold dish in the hot oven.

Pro Tips From The Test Kitchen

• Letting the sausage simmer with the dried seasonings and pizza sauce helps marry the flavors and prevents a watery casserole. 
• For extra crispy tater tots, bake the casserole for 20 minutes first, and then add the shredded cheese and pepperoni slices on top and return it to the oven for the remaining cook time. I don’t do this because my family loves the crispy pepperoni slices on top. If you do bake for 20 minutes before adding the cheese and pepperoni, the pepperoni slices may not be as crisp; but the tater tots will be crispier so it just depends on what your family prefers. 
• Swap the mild Italian sausage for hot or spicy Italian sausage for a spicy kick. You could also add some red pepper flakes in with the other seasonings for some more heat in the casserole. 
• For a healthier, lower-fat meat use ground turkey Italian sausage or lean ground beef.
• If you love green pepper and onion on pizza then finely chop one green pepper, and one small onion, and add into the skillet along with the ground sausage. 
• Marinara sauce or spaghetti sauce can be used instead of pizza sauce if wanted. Pizza sauce usually comes in smaller jars, so you may have to buy 2 to 3 of them to equal the 24 ounces called for in the recipe. 
• If you want extra crispy pepperoni try using mini pepperonis on top of the casserole. 

More Tater Tot Casseroles Your Family Will Love

• Taco Tater Tot Casserole
• Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
• BBQ Beef Tater Tot Casserole
• Buffalo Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
• Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole Recipe