Description
Cheesy Tater Tot Pizza delivers comfort food magic in one irresistible dish. Crispy potato bites and melted cheese create a perfect fusion that satisfies pizza and potato lovers alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) bag frozen tater tots, thawed
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pepperoni slices (or other favorite toppings)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup marinara or pizza sauce
Seasonings and Spices:
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes:
- Fresh basil
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Meticulously arrange thawed tater tots in a single, compact layer within a large cast iron skillet, ensuring complete coverage without any visible gaps.
- Gently compress the tater tots using a spatula, creating a uniform, sturdy foundation for the pizza base.
- Position the skillet in a preheated oven at 400F (200C) and bake for approximately 15 minutes until the tots exhibit initial signs of crispiness.
- Remove the partially cooked crust and apply additional pressure to solidify the base, guaranteeing structural integrity.
- Distribute marinara sauce evenly across the tater tot surface, ensuring complete and consistent coverage.
- Enhance the sauce layer with a judicious sprinkling of garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
- Strategically layer half the mozzarella cheese as a preliminary foundation for the upcoming toppings.
- Arrange pepperoni slices and any additional desired ingredients across the cheese-covered surface.
- Complete the topping process by scattering the remaining mozzarella cheese over the pizza.
- Elevate the oven temperature to 425F (220C) and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts into a luxurious bubble and the crust transforms into a golden, crisp masterpiece.
- Extract the pizza from the oven and allow a brief cooling period to stabilize the structure.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a delicate dusting of grated Parmesan cheese.
- Slice into wedges and serve while maintaining optimal warmth and crispiness.
Notes
- Choose potatoes with low moisture content for a crispier crust, like Russet or Idaho varieties to prevent sogginess.
- Ensure tater tots are completely thawed and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture before creating the base.
- Experiment with alternative cheese blends like sharp cheddar or provolone to customize flavor profiles and enhance the overall taste experience.
- For gluten-free options, verify your tater tots and pizza sauce are certified gluten-free, and consider using alternative pepperoni or vegetable toppings to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg