Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
A Budget-Friendly, Family-Approved Delight: If you’re looking for a comforting, hearty meal that pleases both kids and adults alike, look no further than this delightful Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole. Not only is it easy to whip up, but it also checks all the boxes for budget-friendly cooking, making it a fantastic weeknight dinner option. This was always a favorite of my kids when they were younger and still is. And quite honestly, it is one of my favorites as well! And with simple ingredients that are often staples in many households, this recipe is easy on the wallet. Ground beef, onions, peppers, and tater tots are all affordable, making this casserole a great option for families looking to save money without sacrificing flavor. So let’s dive into this delicious recipe that combines the classic flavors of sloppy joes with the irresistible crunch of tater tots.
Check out these other great recipes while you are here!
Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joe Sliders
Quesaritos (Taco Bell Copycat)
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- ¼ cup yellow onion, diced
- ¼ cup green bell pepper, diced
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 28ounce bag of tater tots
How To Make It:
This is just a summary, the full recipe is below. Start by heating a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, diced onions, green bell peppers, and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is browned and the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes. Be sure to drain any excess grease to keep the dish from becoming too oily.
Season with garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper. I also used this Kinders seasoning that I had just purchased but it is not necessary for this dish.
Stir in the tomato paste, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and brown sugar.
Spread the mixture evenly in the pan. Or transfer to a 9×13 baking dish if your pan is not oven-safe. Next, sprinkle the grated sharp cheddar cheese on top of the meat mixture. Finally, top your casserole with the tater tots, arranging them in a single layer. For an added pop of color, sprinkle some dried parsley on top as well.
Bake at 400 for approximately 40 minutes or until the tots are nice and crispy.
This is a very hearty meal all on its own, but you could serve it up with a side salad or some steamed vegetables to round it out!
If you do make this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating! I love hearing from you and it helps so much! Thank you!
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef or any type of ground meat that you prefer
- 1/4 cup Yellow Onion, Diced
- 1/4 cup Green Pepper, diced
- 3-4 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp Tomato Paste
- 8 oz Tomato Sauce
- 1/4 Cup Ketchup
- 2 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 8 oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated
- 28 oz Bag of Frozen Tater Tots
- Garlic Powder, Onion Powder and Black Pepper about 1/2-1 tsp each
- Dried Parsley for garnish, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the onions, peppers and garlic. Once it is fully cooked, drain off the excess grease.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook it down for about 3 minutes, then season with the above listed spices.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar and Worcestershire Sauce and mix well. Spread into an even layer in the pan. Or transfer to a 9×13 baking dish if your pan is not oven-safe.
- Spread on the cheese then top with the tater tots. Sprinkle on some dried parsley if desired for a touch of color.
- Bake for approximately 40 minutes or until the tots are nice and crispy. Serve hot and enjoy!
my husband found this on Instagram and has been begging me to make it. I finally did and it was SO good. the only tweaks I’d make for next time is to double the beef. 1lb just isn’t enough for hardly anything so I’d do 2lbs and keep the rest of the recipe the exact same!
I am so happy to hear that you both enjoyed it Kaitlyn! And I think doubling the meat is a great idea!
Another winner for my picky eaters! I think I added too much sugar, otherwise this was perfection.