Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

If your family goes crazy for tater tots, this sloppy joe tater tot casserole is going to be a weeknight favorite. All the saucy, savory flavors of a classic sloppy joe get layered under crispy tater tots and melted cheese, all in one pan. My kid (and husband) ask for seconds every single time.

 

Why We Love Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

• Kid-Friendly Dinner – Tater tots on the menu pretty much guarantees a happy table. And the saucy meat filling is similar enough to a meaty spaghetti sauce, meatballs, or chili that even picky eaters are usually willing to dig in.
• Make The Meat Ahead – The sloppy joe filling can be made up to 24 hours ahead and kept in the fridge. When dinner time rolls around, just pour it in the dish, top with tots, and bake. If you love this filling, you might also want to try my classic sloppy joes or sloppy joe sliders.
• Easy Cleanup – Everything cooks in one skillet and bakes in one dish. Two things to wash and you’re done, which honestly might be the best part.

Ingredients For Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

• ground beef I used 80/20, but you can use what you have. Just drain the meat really well so the casserole doesn’t become oily. Ground turkey or ground chicken can also be used.
• onion diced, white, yellow or sweet onion
• bell pepper diced, any color
• salt
• pepper
• minced garlic
• diced tomatoes in juice canned, use tomatoes and juice, don’t drain. You can swap for rotel or fire roasted tomatoes also.
• apple cider vinegar – can also use white vinegar
• ketchup
• brown sugar
• Worcestershire sauce – can leave out in a pinch, but adds a lot of flavor.
• tater tots frozen
• cheddar cheese shredded, you can also use monterey jack, provolone slices, a mexican blend of cheese or whatever shredded cheese you prefer.

How To Make Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

1. Preheat the oven to 350. Spray a 9×13 casserole pan lightly with spray cooking oil.
2. Place a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned all the way through, 7-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat with a paper towel so the casserole doesn’t end up too oily. Remove the ground beef and set to the side.

3. To the same skillet, add onion and bell pepper. Season with salt and pepper and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
4. Return ground beef back to the pan with the peppers and onion. Add canned diced tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well, then bring the sloppy joe mixture to a simmer, about 5 minutes.

5. Pour the sloppy joe mixture into the 9×13 pan, spreading evenly in the pan. Top the sloppy joe layer with a single layer of tater tots in even rows.

6. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes, or until the tater tots are brown and crispy. Top with shredded cheese, then bake for an additional 5 minutes until melted. Serve and enjoy!

Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole Variation Ideas

Swap BBQ Sauce For Ketchup – I don’t always have ketchup in the house, so instead I’ll use bbq sauce. Pretty much any BBQ sauce easily swaps in for the ketchup.

Top With Frozen Hashbrown Patties – Try hashbrown patties or waffle fries in place of tater tots, just make sure to bake it until they are golden brown. I find most french fries are a little too thin for this trick, you need a thicker potato so they don’t get soggy.

Add More Vegetables – I’ve added peppers and onions, but you can add more vegetables to the meat. Try adding a shredded zucchini, a shredded carrot, or diced mushrooms. Just add them at the same time you would add the peppers and onions and sautee the water out so the sloppy joe doesn’t become soggy.

How Long Will Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole Last?

This casserole will last for about three days if stored in a covered airtight container in the refrigerator. You can reheat in the oven or microwave until warm.