Pepperoni Pizza Tater Tot Bake

Category: Dinner Ideas That Actually Work

Enjoy a family favorite with this pepperoni pizza tater tot bake—layered with frozen tater tots, pasta sauce, mozzarella, and plenty of pepperoni. Just arrange the ingredients in a baking dish, cover, and bake until the cheese is bubbly and the pepperoni gets wonderfully crispy. The prep is minimal and the cleanup is easy, making it a true lifesaver on busy nights. Feel free to swap in your favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms, olives, or sausage. Serve warm straight from the oven for a comfort meal everyone around the table will love.

Clare Recipes
Created By Lily Chen
Updated on Wed, 02 Jul 2025 17:00:50 GMT
A white bowl filled with pepperoni pizza tater tot casserole. Save
A white bowl filled with pepperoni pizza tater tot casserole. | lilicooks.com

Pepperoni pizza tater tot casserole is the ultimate weeknight dinner for families who crave something fun and crave-worthy yet super fast to assemble. You just layer ingredients in one dish bake and serve a comforting meal that hits all the pizza notes with the crispy potato goodness kids love. It is my go-to when I want to serve a meal everyone will cheer for with almost no cleanup at the end.

The first night I made this my boys kept sneaking forkfuls before I got it to the table and now they ask for it whenever pizza night is on the horizon.

Ingredients

  • Frozen tater tots: The key to that golden crispy top and the hearty base Use a good brand so the potatoes stay fluffy inside
  • Pasta sauce: Adds tang and savoriness Choose a thicker tomato based sauce for rich flavor and less sogginess store-bought is great
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melty and oozy for the pizza factor Freshly shredded melts smoother but pre-shredded is totally fine
  • Pepperoni: Classic pizza taste and salty bite Choose mini or regular rounds Look for pepperoni with little orange oil for best flavor
  • Grated parmesan cheese: Optional Salty and nutty finish on top Choose a wedge and grate yourself for better melt or use pre-grated for ease

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the Baking Dish:
Grease a 9x13 baking dish with a little spray or oil so nothing sticks and your layers come out cleanly
Layer First Flavors:
Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce on the bottom Just enough to cover It prevents sticking and starts the tomato base then scatter a third of your pepperoni over the sauce for extra flavor
Build the First Layer:
Add half of the frozen tater tots right out of the bag Arrange evenly so all bites get crispy bits Spoon half of the remaining sauce over tots spreading it out Then add half of your mozzarella cheese over that to begin the melty layers Sprinkle another third of pepperoni on top
Repeat and Finish:
Repeat with the last half of tater tots more sauce more mozzarella cheese and your final pepperoni layer Pile the rest of the cheese and all of the parmesan on the very top for a golden crust
Bake:
Cover the dish with foil and bake on the center oven rack at 400 degrees for 20 minutes Remove foil and keep baking another 15 minutes until the pepperoni edges get crispy and the tater tots go golden and sizzling
Cool and Serve:
Let the casserole sit for five minutes before spooning out This helps it set up for neat serving Top with extras like Italian herbs fresh chopped parsley or a drizzle of ranch if desired
A delicious pepperoni pizza tater tot casserole. Save
A delicious pepperoni pizza tater tot casserole. | lilicooks.com

The pepperoni is my favorite part each time The edges curl and crisp on top of gooey cheese which draws everyone to the table the minute it comes out of the oven Last time my youngest tried to sneak a piece before it cooled because the smell was impossible to resist for him

Storage Tips

Store leftovers tightly covered in the fridge for up to three days Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best texture The tater tots stay crisper this way compared to microwaving

Ingredient Substitutions

Try swapping pepperoni for cooked sausage or go all veggie with mushrooms spinach or olives Dairy free cheese works well if you keep the top thick so it fully melts You can use pizza sauce if you find a bigger jar or want the sweeter flavor

Serving Suggestions

Serve as a main dish with a green salad or roasted broccoli for balance If you like to dip drizzle ranch or a side of warmed marinara really rounds it out Kids especially love a little sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra zip

A dish of pepperoni pizza tater tot casserole. Save
A dish of pepperoni pizza tater tot casserole. | lilicooks.com

Cultural Context

Tater tot casserole is a classic American comfort food popular in the Midwest The pizza twist makes it crowd pleasing for all ages It combines the pure comfort of hot-dish tradition with the fun and flavors of pizza night

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use other pizza toppings in this bake?

Absolutely! Add cooked sausage, bell peppers, onions, olives, or mushrooms with the pepperoni for extra flavor and texture.

→ What kind of pasta sauce works best?

Use a classic tomato-based pasta sauce. It's widely available in larger jars and gives the bake a familiar pizza flavor.

→ Do the tater tots need to thaw before baking?

No, just layer the frozen tater tots directly into the dish. They'll cook up crisp and golden in the oven.

→ How do I store leftovers?

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to retain crispness.

→ Can I make this bake ahead of time?

Yes, assemble the casserole in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Bake just before serving for best results.

Pepperoni Pizza Tater Tot Bake

Kid-friendly pepperoni pizza tater tot bake with cheesy layers and crispy golden top, ready in under 40 minutes.

Preparation Time
5 min
Cooking Time
35 min
Overall Time
40 min
Created By: Lily Chen

Category: Main Dishes

Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly

Cuisine Type: American

Output: 6 Serves

Dietary Options: ~

Ingredients

01 32 oz bag frozen tater tots
02 24 oz jar pasta sauce
03 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
04 Small bag of pepperoni
05 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Steps

Step 01

Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

Step 02

Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce onto the bottom of the dish and top with 1/3 of the pepperoni.

Step 03

Layer half of the frozen tater tots, half of the remaining pasta sauce, half of the mozzarella cheese, and another 1/3 of the pepperoni.

Step 04

Repeat the layers, ending with the last of the pepperoni on top. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese if desired.

Step 05

Cover the dish with foil and bake on the center oven rack for 20 minutes.

Step 06

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the top layer of tater tots is golden brown and the pepperoni is crispy.

Step 07

Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Serve alone or with red pepper flakes, parsley, Italian seasoning, or ranch dressing as desired.

Tips

  1. Tomato-based pasta sauce is recommended over pizza sauce due to its larger jar size and lower cost.
  2. Feel free to add other favorite pizza toppings such as sausage, bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to the layers.

Required Tools

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Aluminum foil
  • Oven

Allergy Information

Always check each ingredient for allergens, and consult a medical professional if unsure.
  • Dairy (mozzarella, parmesan cheese)
  • Gluten (if tater tots or sauce contain gluten)

Nutritional Information (per serving)

These details are shared for general guidance and don’t replace professional advice.
  • Calories: 450
  • Fats: 25 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Proteins: 16 g