Description
Pizza Tater Tot Casserole
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes (+ optional broil 1–2 min)
Total Time: 45–50 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
Casserole Base:
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1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
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½ tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp dried oregano
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½ tsp dried basil
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¼ tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
Cheese & Pepperoni Layers:
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2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
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1 cup mini pepperoni (or chopped regular pepperoni)
Tater Tot Topping:
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1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
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Olive oil spray or light drizzle
Garnish (optional):
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Fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
1. Preheat & Prep
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
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Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a light wipe of olive oil.
2. Layer the Sauce
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Pour marinara sauce into the dish and spread evenly.
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Sprinkle garlic powder, oregano, basil, and crushed red pepper over the sauce.
3. Add Cheese & Pepperoni
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Sprinkle half of the mozzarella over the sauce.
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Scatter mini pepperoni evenly on top.
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Add the remaining mozzarella as a second layer.
4. Add Tater Tots
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Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
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Lightly spray or drizzle with olive oil to help them crisp.
5. Bake
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Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, until tots are golden and crispy and cheese is bubbly.
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Optional: Broil 1–2 minutes for extra crispiness. Watch closely!
6. Rest & Garnish
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Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
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Sprinkle fresh basil or parsley on top before serving.
Notes
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Make Ahead: Assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add 5–10 minutes to bake time from cold.
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Supreme Style: Add sautéed bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or sliced olives.
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Hawaiian: Swap pepperoni for diced Canadian bacon and crushed pineapple.
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Meat Lovers: Layer cooked Italian sausage or ground beef with the sauce.
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Vegetarian: Add roasted veggies like zucchini, spinach, or artichokes.
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Breakfast Twist: Use sausage gravy as a base, top with scrambled eggs, cheddar, and tots.