An easy dump-and-bake dinner that’s quick to prepare with just one dish to wash!
And did I mention it’s CRAZY GOOD? If you’ve found this recipe, you’re probably after simple dinners that use minimal ingredients and minimal effort. This quick and creative casserole frees you up to do other things while delivering a satisfying meal even picky eaters will enjoy. Add it to your weeknight rotation for busy school nights when you don’t feel like cooking.
I think the crispy tater tots work even better than a traditional pizza crust because they soak up sauce and cheese for big flavor. Best of all, you can layer them right from frozen, making this one of the simplest dinners to pull together.
Ingredients
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 (24 oz) jar pasta sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 small bag pepperoni slices
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan (optional)
Like any good pizza, this tater tot casserole is easy to customize. Don’t limit yourself to pepperoni — add sausage, olives, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, jalapeños, spinach, fresh basil, or garlic. The recipe adapts to whatever your family prefers.
The beauty of this kid-friendly casserole is how little planning it requires. No thawing, no complicated steps — just toss ingredients into a greased 9×13 baking dish and bake. It’s made from pantry staples so you can keep supplies on hand for last-minute dinners.
Layer, layer, layer! Less than 5 minutes of prep to make this easy dump-and-bake dinner.
There’s no single correct order, but here’s a simple method I use: spread a thin layer of pasta sauce on the bottom to prevent sticking. Add a portion of pepperoni, half the tater tots, half the remaining sauce, and half the mozzarella. Repeat the layers, finishing with the remaining pepperoni and a sprinkle of Parmesan if desired.
Cover the dish with foil and bake on the center rack at 400°F for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the pepperoni crisps and the top layer of tots turns golden brown.
Let the casserole rest about 5 minutes before serving. You’ll get crunchy tots on top and softer, sauce-soaked tots underneath — a delicious contrast in texture. Serve as-is or offer red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, or a drizzle of ranch for extra flavor.
Easy Tater Tot Pizza Dinner Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 (32oz) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 (24oz) jar pasta sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 small bag of pepperoni
- ¼ cup grated parmesan (optional)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce over the bottom of the dish, then top with about one-third of the pepperoni.
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Layer HALF the frozen tater tots, HALF the remaining sauce, HALF the mozzarella, and another third of the pepperoni.
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Repeat the layers, finishing with the last of the pepperoni on top and sprinkling Parmesan if you like. Cheese amounts can be adjusted to taste.
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Cover with foil and bake on the center rack for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 15 minutes, until the top is golden and the pepperoni crisps.
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Let cool about 5 minutes, then serve plain or with red pepper flakes, parsley, Italian seasoning, ranch, or your favorite condiments.
Notes
- I use a tomato-based pasta sauce instead of jarred pizza sauce because pasta sauce commonly comes in larger jars, which is more cost-effective and avoids extra leftover jars.
- Add any pizza toppings you like: crumbled sausage, bell peppers, olives, mushrooms, jalapeños, onions, fresh herbs, spinach, ham, or pineapple — it all works well layered into this casserole.
- This recipe is flexible and forgiving, making it perfect for busy families who want a fast, comforting meal that stretches to feed a crowd.
Don’t forget to save this easy family dinner casserole for later!
