Description
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole combines savory ground beef in tangy Sloppy Joe sauce with melted cheddar cheese and crispy golden tater tots. It’s an easy, hearty comfort-food dinner that comes together in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1½ cups Sloppy Joe sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 bag (28–32 oz) frozen tater tots
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika, optional
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt, or to taste
- 1 cup frozen corn, optional
- 1 cup frozen peas or mixed vegetables, optional
- Fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, and bell pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and the vegetables are softened.
- Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Stir in the Sloppy Joe sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors combine.
- If using frozen vegetables, stir the corn, peas, or mixed vegetables into the beef mixture.
- Spread the Sloppy Joe mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef mixture.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden and crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- For extra-crispy tots, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end, watching carefully so they do not burn.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley or green onions and serve hot.
Notes
- Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for the beef.
- Use homemade or store-bought Sloppy Joe sauce.
- Cheddar, mozzarella, Colby, or pepper jack cheese can be used.
- For a gluten-free version, check that the Sloppy Joe sauce and tater tots are certified gluten-free.
- Add jalapeños or hot sauce for a spicy variation.
- The assembled casserole can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.
- To freeze, cover tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and use within 3–4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course, Casserole
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1,100 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole, Sloppy Joe casserole, tater tot casserole, ground beef casserole, cheesy casserole, easy weeknight dinner,