Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
This easy Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole combines a flavorful and savory homemade ground beef base with crispy golden tater tots and melted cheddar cheese. Prepared in one skillet and baked in a 9x13 dish, it’s the ultimate weeknight dinner for busy nights!
Servings: 6
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.
