This Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole is the kind of recipe that makes everyone at the table happy. It’s got that sweet and savory sloppy joe filling, plenty of melty cheese, and a crispy tater tot topping that’s hard to beat.
Why You Need To Make This Easy Sloppy Joe Casserole
- Kid-friendly: That sweet and cheesy beef under a layer of crispy tots is a guaranteed win with picky eaters. It hits all the familiar flavors without complaints.
- Minimal cleanup: Everything cooks in one pan, which means fewer dishes and more time to relax after dinner.
- Filling and affordable: Uses simple ingredients you probably already have and stretches a pound of beef to feed the whole family.
I’ve always loved tater tot casseroles, like my Taco Tater Tot Casserole, because they feel so comforting and familiar. I always make mine in my 12-inch cast-iron skillet to cut down on dishes, which makes cleanup way easier. Of course, if you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer everything to a casserole dish before baking. But you know me, I’m all about fewer dishes and less cleanup.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Avocado oil – Can be substituted with olive oil or any other neutral cooking oil.
- Onion – White, yellow, or red onion all work here.
- Bell pepper – Any color bell pepper works here.
- Lean ground beef – Ground turkey or ground chicken are good alternatives.
- Tomato sauce – No substitutions.
- Beef broth – Chicken broth or vegetable broth will also work.
- Worcestershire sauce – No substitutions.
- Brown sugar – You can use honey or maple syrup in a pinch.
- Yellow mustard – Dijon or spicy brown mustard will change the flavor slightly, but can be used.
- Garlic powder – No substitutions.
- Salt and pepper – No substitutions.
- Cheddar cheese – Use any shredded cheese you like. Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend would be great too.
- Tater tots – No substitutions.
Mandy’s Top Tip
Let the sauce simmer until it thickens to your liking, but keep in mind it’ll thicken a bit more as it bakes. If it gets too thick before adding the tater tots, just stir in a splash of broth to loosen it up.
Tips for Success
Drain excess grease – If your ground beef releases a lot of fat, drain it before adding the sauce ingredients so the casserole doesn’t turn out greasy.
Shred your own cheese – Pre-shredded cheese has added starches that can affect how it melts. Freshly shredded cheese melts smoother and tastes better.
Don’t stir in the tater tots – They should sit right on top of the beef mixture so they can get crispy while baking.
How to Make the Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole
This recipe is easy to make. First, you’ll cook the beef and veggies, then stir in the sauce ingredients and let it simmer. Top it with cheese and tater tots, then bake until the tots are crispy and everything is bubbling.
Sauté the veggies
Add the sauce ingredients and simmer
Cover with tater tots.
Add the beef and cook
Top with a layer of cheese.
Bake until golden.
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Did you try this one pan sloppy Joe casserole? Let me know how it turned out by leaving a comment and ⭐ rating below!
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef (I used 90/10)
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (32-ounce) bag tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
- Heat the oil in a 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, broth, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until thickened to your liking. If it gets too thick, stir in a splash of broth.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the beef mixture.
- Arrange the tater tots in a single layer on top.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Let the casserole cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic and foil or transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm in a 350 degrees F oven until heated through, or microwave individual portions in 30-second bursts until hot.
- If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the mixture to a casserole dish before topping with the cheese and tater tots.
Nutriton
Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated based on automated calculations and should be considered as an approximation. These estimates are provided as a courtesy. Please use your own brand’s nutritional values to verify accuracy.