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Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

This Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole combines all the saucy, tangy flavor of classic Sloppy Joes with the crisp, golden magic of baked tater tots and melty cheese. Cozy, nostalgic, and weeknight-approved comfort food for the whole family.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6–8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 small bell pepper, diced (optional)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend)
  • 1 (28–32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
  • Optional garnish: chopped parsley or green onions

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9×13″ casserole dish.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
  4. Stir in ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until thickened.
  5. Transfer Sloppy Joe mixture into prepared casserole dish.
  6. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the beef mixture.
  7. Top with a single layer of frozen tater tots.
  8. Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes until tots are golden and crisp.
  9. Optional: Broil for 2–3 minutes for extra crispy top.
  10. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley or green onions if desired.

Notes

  • Add veggies like corn, black beans, or mushrooms to the filling for extra nutrition.
  • Use BBQ sauce instead of ketchup for a smoky twist.
  • Make it vegetarian by using plant-based meat and dairy-free cheese.
  • Freshly shredded cheese melts better than bagged varieties.
  • Don’t thaw the tater tots before baking—they’ll crisp better from frozen.
  • Author: Selena Trump
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 9g
  • Sodium: 820mg
  • Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: sloppy joe casserole, tater tot casserole, ground beef, comfort food