Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
This Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish combining the rich flavors of classic sloppy joe ground beef with crispy tater tots and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, it layers a savory beef and vegetable mixture with tater tots and cheese, baked to golden perfection.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Sloppy Joe Mixture
- 2 pounds ground beef (85/15 or leaner)
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 2 medium celery ribs, diced
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Topping
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prepare it for assembling the casserole.
- Cook beef and vegetables: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes until the beef is browned and the vegetables have softened, stirring occasionally to break up the meat.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 60 seconds to release its flavor.
- Mix in seasonings: Turn off the heat and add Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, salt, ground mustard, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Assemble casserole: Spread the sloppy joe mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle about 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top, then sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots.
- Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the tater tots are fully cooked, crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Feel free to add chopped jalapeños for extra spice.
- Use a sharp cheddar cheese for more pronounced flavor.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving for easier slicing.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
Keywords: Sloppy Joe, Tater Tot Casserole, ground beef casserole, cheesy casserole, comfort food
