This Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food. Tender ground beef cooked in a homemade sloppy joe sauce and then topped with crispy tater tots turn this dish into a meal that your family will love.
Jump to:
❤️ Why You'll Love It
- With only simple ingredients you don't have to worry about spending a lot of money at the grocery store.
- The combination of sloppy Joe flavor and tater tots is a guaranteed hit with children.
- It reheats beautifully which means that it is just as delicious the next day.
One of the best things about this recipe is that it's great to prep ahead. So, you don't have to worry about rushing home to make dinner after a long day of work or school.
📝 Ingredients
Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📋 Ingredient Notes
- Oil - You can use any type of neutral flavored oil that you have on hand. Canola oil or vegetable oil would work great.
- Onion - Yellow onions are best for casserole recipes. However, you can also use a sweet onion or a white onion.
- Ground beef - I like to use lean ground beef, however you can beef with any fat content.
- Green bell pepper - Look for a pepper that has a vibrant green color and feels firm to the touch.
- Garlic powder - Don't have garlic powder? You can use granulated garlic or fresh garlic instead.
- Salt and black pepper - For the best flavor, I recommend using kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Ketchup - I use regular ketchup, but you can also use low-sugar or no-sugar-added ketchup if preferred.
- Brown sugar - Light or dark brown sugar will work for this recipe.
- Yellow mustard - Use regular yellow mustard or Dijon mustard for a slightly different flavor.
- Shredded cheese - I like to use shredded cheddar cheese for my casserole.
- Tater tots - Pick up a bag of your favorite brand of tater tots while you are the the store.
🥄 Instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.
- In a large skillet heat oil on medium-high heat add chopped onions and saute for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add ground beef, breaking it apart. Cook beef until no longer pink.
- Add bell peppers, garlic powder, salt, pepper, ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Bring sloppy joe mixture to a simmer on medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes then turn heat off.
- Pour the ground meat mixture into the pan, top with half the shredded cheese.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese. Then sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake in the middle of your oven for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown.
💡Amira's Tips
- If you are using lean ground beef, you may need to add some additional oil to the skillet to prevent the beef from sticking.
- For the best gooey cheese layer, try using freshly shredded cheese instead of the pre-shredded kind from the store.
- Spray your casserole dish well with nonstick cooking spray, as this casserole has been known to stick.
- For extra crispy tater tots on top, you can put them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes.
🧺 Storage
Leftovers - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheating - For the best results, reheat the casserole in a 350-degree oven for 10 - 15 minutes or until it's hot and bubbly. Single servings can be reheated in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
⌛ Make Ahead
This casserole is great to prep ahead of time. Assemble the casserole fully, and then instead of baking it, cover the casserole dish with a lid or plastic wrap then store it in the fridge. Preheat the oven and bake as directed when you are ready to eat.
🍽️ Serve With
I love this hearty casserole with a simple side dish like these Roasted Brussels sprouts or Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables. If you have a sweet tooth, you can also end this meal with these Peanut Butter Brownies Cookies.
👩🍳 Variations
- Not a fan of ground beef? You can use ground turkey or ground chicken instead of beef.
- Feel free to use whatever type of cheese you have on hand. I prefer cheddar cheese, but Colby jack, Monterey Jack, or even a Mexican blend will work well.
- Want to add some spice to your beef filling? Try adding some diced jalapenos, red pepper flakes, or even cayenne pepper.
- Try using sweet potato puffs instead of tater tots for a sweet and savory topping.
💬 FAQs
No, you want the tater tots to crisp up, so you need to bake this casserole uncovered.
Yes, you can freeze this casserole before or after baking it. It will store well in the freezer for up to 3 months.
📣 Related Recipes
- This Chili Tater Tot Casserole is another delicious twist on a classic comfort food dish.
- Does your family love pizza? Next time add this Pizza Tater Tot Casserole to your meal plan. Your family will rave about it.
- Doritos Casserole with Ground Beef is a child and adult Doritos lover's dream come true. This dish layers taco-flavored ground beef, melty cheese, and crunchy Doritos for the perfect weeknight dinner.
- This Baked Beans with Ground Beef dish can stand on its own or complements a variety of meals. An amazing blend of sweet, savory and smoky flavors make this a comfort food for all times.
Ground beef and potato recipes you'll like
- Ground Beef and Mashed Potatoes are a classic comfort combo that simply satisfies your family. Make it from scratch or using leftover mashed potatoes for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Want to try something a little different for Taco Tuesday? Make this Tater Tot Taco Casserole for your family, to get all your favorite taco flavors but in casserole form.
- Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole is a southwestern twist on a classic recipe. Filled with ground beef and corn, this hearty dish will have the picky eaters in your house asking for more.
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! Thank you.
🥣 Equipment
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
- Large skillet
- 9x13 casserole dish
Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products!
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon oil
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 ½ pound ground beef lean
- 1 small green pepper chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ¾ cup ketchup or to taste
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (30-ounce) package Frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F and lightly grease a 13x9 baking dish with cooking oil.
- In a large skillet heat oil on medium-high heat add chopped onions and saute for 2-3 minutes until translucent.
- Add ground beef breaking it apart and cook until no longer pink.
- Drain excess fat if desired then add bell pepper, garlic powder, salt, pepper, ketchup, brown sugar and mustard mixing everything together.
- Bring mixture to a simmer on medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes then turn heat off.
- Pour the ground meat mixture into the pan, top with half the shredded cheese then arrange frozen tater tots on top of the cheese. Then sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Bake in the middle of your oven for 25-30 minutes until top is golden brown.
Notes
- Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.
Nutrition
Sign up and learn more about Mediterranean flavors
Would you like to save this post?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Leave a Reply