Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

Name: Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 medium onion, diced; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce; 1/2 cup ketchup; 1/4 cup barbecue sauce; 1 tbsp yellow mustard; 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese; 20 oz frozen tater tots; Roasted broccoli, for serving; Buttered bread, for serving

This Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole layers a tangy ground beef mixture with crispy tater tots and cheese in a single pan, delivering comfort-food flavor with minimal cleanup.

🌍American 🏷️Tater tot casserole 🏷️Sloppy joe 🏷️Casserole 🏷️Ground beef Comfort food

🏷️

🏷️Kid-friendly

-0:00

cookinginthemidwestonTikTok

Total

40 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$28–$46

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by cookinginthemidwest

-0:00

cookinginthemidwestonTikTok

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, dicedoptional
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1 tbsp yellow mustard
2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
20 oz frozen tater tots
Roasted broccoli, for servingoptional
Buttered bread, for servingoptional

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Instructions

1
In a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion. Season with paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2
Once the beef is cooked through, drain off any excess grease.
3
Stir in the minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and yellow mustard.
4
Mix until everything is well combined and let it simmer for a minute.
5
Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the sloppy joe mixture.
6
Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese.
7
Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
8
Let cool slightly before serving. Serve with roasted broccoli and buttered bread, if desired.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the ground beef thoroughly and drain excess fat before adding aromatics and sauces; this prevents a greasy casserole.
Arrange tater tots in a single layer without overlapping for maximum crispiness on all sides.
Bake uncovered so tater tots crisp up; cover with foil only if browning too quickly near the end.
Let the casserole rest 5 minutes after baking before serving to help it set and prevent a runny bottom layer.

Substitutions

Ground beef → ground turkey or ground chicken (reduces fat; flavor slightly less rich)
Tomato sauce → tomato paste mixed with 1/2 cup water (more concentrated flavor)
Worcestershire sauce → soy sauce (earthier, saltier; use 1/2 tbsp instead)
Barbecue sauce → brown sugar mixed with vinegar and ketchup (1 tbsp brown sugar + 1 tbsp vinegar + 2 tbsp ketchup)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes until warmed through; the tater tots may soften slightly.

Common Questions

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, assemble the casserole (beef mixture and tater tots) in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Add 5–10 minutes to the baking time if starting from cold.