Bring a nostalgic favorite to your weeknight dinner rotation with this easy Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole. Featuring a sweet and savory ground beef base topped with crispy tater tots and melty cheddar cheese, it's a quick one-dish meal the whole family will love.
With three boys, our weeknights are often packed with sports. Considering our town's only fast-food restaurant is a Dairy Queen, I need quick, hearty dinners I can whip up at home. This Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole is a family favorite for getting a hot meal on the table. The savory sloppy joe mixture can be made ahead of time, and the crispy tater tots and melted cheese turn it into a meal.
Why You'll Love This Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
- Nostalgic: Combines two classic childhood favorites - sweet and savory sloppy joes and golden tater tots - into one cozy bake.
- Pantry Staples: Made with basic ingredients you likely already have on hand in your fridge, freezer, and pantry.
- Crispy & Cheesy: Topped with tater tots and plenty of melty shredded cheese.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The base can be prepped in advance, making dinner assembly easy on busy evenings.
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Ingredients You'll Need
- Ground Beef: I like to use 90/10 ground sirloin. I realize grocery prices are high right now, so I recommend buying the leanest ground beef that fits your budget. Just be sure to drain the grease really well. Lean ground turkey can be substituted.
- Yellow Onion: This recipe uses about one diced yellow onion to add flavor to the meat mixture.
- Green Bell Pepper: A diced bell pepper adds flavor and texture to the sloppy joes.
- Tomato Sauce: A small can of tomato sauce helps build the base for the sauce. If you are watching your salt intake, you can choose low-sodium or no-salt added.
- BBQ Sauce: A little BBQ sauce adds a savory element; I like to use Sweet Baby Ray's Original or something a little smoky. Avoid Carolina-style sauces, as the vinegar overpowers the dish.
- Ketchup: We use a little ketchup instead of all BBQ sauce to keep the sloppy joes from being too sweet.
- Yellow Mustard: Regular prepared yellow mustard adds a bit of a tang to the dish.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a hint of sweetness. If you use a very sweet BBQ sauce, you can skip this.
- Worcestershire & Spices: Worcestershire sauce adds an umami flavor, while garlic powder, salt, and black pepper round out the seasonings.
- Tater Tots: You'll use most of a standard-sized (28- to 32-ounce) bag of frozen tater tots. I like to buy Ore-Ida or a brand that uses real Idaho potatoes.
- Shredded Cheese: For the ultimate cheesy melt, shred your own cheddar or Colby Jack cheese. For convenience, already shredded cheese works just fine.
How to Make
Here is a brief visual step-by-step guide to show you how this casserole comes together. For exact measurements, detailed instructions, and the full printable recipe, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Brown the Beef & Veggies: Brown the ground beef and diced onions in a large skillet, then sauté the green bell pepper for 2 to 3 minutes until tender.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce, BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and seasonings; simmer on low for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Layer the Tater Tots: Transfer the sloppy Joe mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish, then arrange the frozen tater tots in a tight, single layer over the top.
- Bake & Top with Cheese: Bake uncovered at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes until the tots are golden, then sprinkle with shredded cheese and return to the oven for 5 minutes to melt.
Recipe Variations
- Add Corn: Stir a drained 15-ounce can of sweet kernel or fire-roasted corn into the sloppy joe meat mixture right before transferring it to the baking dish. It adds color and helps stretch the meal to feed a crowd.
- Swap Protein: You can swap 93/7 ground turkey or ground venison for the ground beef. For extra savory flavor when using leaner meats, add an extra dash of Worcestershire sauce.
- Add Heat: Swap the cheddar cheese for Pepper Jack, add a small can of diced green chiles into the beef sauce, and serve with pickled jalapeños.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
Make-Ahead Instructions: Prepare the sloppy joe meat mixture up to 1-2 days in advance. Store in the fridge and top with frozen tater tots just before baking. If the meat mixture is cold, add 5-10 minutes to initial bake time.
Storage: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: Individual portions can be heated in the microwave for a quick warm-up. To get the tots crispy again, reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (or in an air fryer at 350°F for 4-5 minutes) until the internal temperature reaches165°F.
What to Serve with Sloppy Joe Casserole?
Serve with a vegetable such as green beans, steamed broccoli, or a classic house salad. For busy nights, keep prep to minimum with fresh carrot sticks, cucumber slices, or celery sticks served with ranch dressing.
📖 Recipe
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
Sloppy Joe Mixture
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup yellow onion diced
- 1 cup green bell pepper diced (1 medium pepper)
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar lightly packed
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 1 (28-32-ounce) bag frozen tater tots (about 4-5 cups)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray; set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and onion. Cook until the meat is browned and onions are translucent (about 5-7 minutes), breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain excess grease if necessary. Add the green bell pepper and sauté for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in the tomato sauce, BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes or until sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasonings if desired.
- Transfer the sloppy joe mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it into an even layer. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on the top of the meat mixture.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crisp. Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the tots. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
FAQ
Can I freeze a fully assembled casserole?
It is best to freeze the sloppy joe meat base and keep the tater tots and cheese separate until ready to bake. Fully assembling and freezing the entire casserole can cause the tater tots to absorb moisture, resulting in soggy tater tots.
How do I double this recipe?
To double the recipe, simply double the ingredients and bake the casserole in two separate 9x13-inch dishes.
Whether you're juggling sports practices or just need an easy, budget-friendly dinner, this Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole hits the mark. If your family loved it, feel free to comment below what tweaks you made and what you served it with!
Alaine
More Easy Weeknight Dinners You'll Love
- Ground Beef Taco Meat: Diced poblano pepper adds flavor and great texture to this easy, gamily-favorite ground beef filling.
- Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Tenderloin: This lean set-it-and-forget-it recipe is a favorite for busy nights!
- Crispy Cornflake Fried Chicken: Skip the drive-thru and make these crunchy chicken nuggets at home.
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