01 -
Preheat your oven to 400°F and generously grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 -
Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce across the bottom of your prepared dish. Sprinkle about ⅓ of the pepperoni slices over the sauce.
03 -
Layer half of the frozen tater tots over the pepperoni, then half of the remaining pasta sauce, half of the mozzarella cheese, and another ⅓ of the pepperoni slices.
04 -
Repeat with the remaining tater tots, pasta sauce, mozzarella cheese, and finish with the last of the pepperoni on top. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if using - don't worry about measuring, just add as much as you like!
05 -
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and place on the center rack of your oven. Bake for 20 minutes to let everything heat through and the cheese start melting.
06 -
Remove the foil and continue baking for 15 more minutes, or until the pepperoni is crispy and the top layer of tater tots turns golden brown and crunchy.
07 -
Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Serve as is, or top with red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, Italian seasoning, or a drizzle of ranch dressing.