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Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

A crowd-pleasing mashup of tangy sloppy joe meat sauce and a crispy tater tot crust baked until golden. It's weeknight comfort food at its easiest.

55 minEasyServes 6540 cal/serving

AmericanDinnerStovetop and OvenStandardHigh ProteinAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 cup yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp brown sugar
  • 2 tsp yellow mustard
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 32 oz frozen tater tots

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

  2. 2

    In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20) until browned, breaking it into crumbles, about 6 minutes. Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.

  3. 3

    Add 1 cup finely diced yellow onion and 1 finely diced green bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute more.

  4. 4

    Stir in 1 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 tsp brown sugar, 2 tsp yellow mustard, and 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth. Season with 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

  5. 5

    Pour the meat sauce into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the sauce.

  6. 6

    Arrange 32 oz frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese, covering the entire surface.

  7. 7

    Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy and the filling is bubbling. Serve hot directly from the dish.

Questions

Can I make Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded. Swap the cheese for a plant-based melting cheese (expect a milder flavor). The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce. Swap the soy-based sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat covered in a 300 F oven until warmed through.

Can I halve or double Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole?

Yes. As written it serves 6. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

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