Pepperoni Pizza Tater Tot Casserole (Printer-Friendly Version)

Family-friendly comfort bake with pepperoni, cheese, and tater tots, layered and oven-baked for a quick meal.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Main

01 - 900 g frozen tater tots
02 - 350 g pasta sauce
03 - 200 g shredded mozzarella cheese
04 - 80 g sliced pepperoni

→ Toppings (optional)

05 - 40 g grated Parmesan cheese
06 - Diced cooked sausage
07 - Chopped bell peppers
08 - Sliced mushrooms
09 - Sliced black olives

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 200°C. Grease a 23x33 cm baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
02 - Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce on the bottom of the prepared dish. Scatter one third of the pepperoni evenly over the sauce.
03 - Arrange half of the frozen tater tots in an even layer over the base. Spoon half of the remaining sauce over the tater tots, sprinkle with half of the mozzarella, and distribute another third of the pepperoni.
04 - Cover with the remaining tater tots, followed by the remaining sauce and mozzarella cheese. Top with the last third of pepperoni and an even layer of Parmesan cheese if using.
05 - Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes or until topping is golden and pepperoni is slightly crispy.
06 - Allow casserole to cool for 5 minutes before serving to help the cheese set. Portion and serve warm.

# Handy Cooking Tips:

01 - Layering pepperoni beneath tater tots ensures deeper flavor throughout the dish.
02 - Do not thaw frozen tater tots; use straight from the freezer for ideal texture.
03 - Let the casserole rest before serving for neat portions and easier handling.
04 - Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days; reheat in microwave or oven.
05 - Feel free to add or substitute your favorite pizza toppings for customization.