Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
This sloppy joe tater tot casserole is a savory, cheesy, and easy weeknight meal that combines lean ground beef and hidden veggies in a rich, homemade sauce. Topped with a layer of melted Colby Jack cheese and crispy, golden tater tots, it's a comforting dish the whole family will love.
Equipment
- large skillet
- meat chopper
- 13x9 glass or ceramic baking dish (well greased)
- wooden spoon or spatula
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- garlic press
- cutting board
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Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup carrots chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 32 oz frozen tater tots you might have a few left over depending on how you arrange them
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉ and move the rack to the top third of the oven.
- In a large skillet, brown beef over medium-high heat; drain fat. Add peppers and carrots; cook until almost soft (about 5 minutes).
- Reduce heat to medium. Add salt, pepper, onion powder, smoked paprika, garlic, tomato sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce; stir. Cook until sauce slightly bubbles (about 5 minutes).
- Transfer mixture to greased 13x9 casserole dish, spreading evenly. Top with shredded cheese.
- Arrange frozen tater tots on top (with no overlapping).
- Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes or until tater tots are crisp and casserole is slightly bubbling. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
If you have time, let the beef and sauce simmer for an extra 5 minutes before transferring it to the casserole dish; this helps the flavor deepen and the sauce thicken so it isn't as messy to eat.
Store the casserole in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days. You can also freeze this dish for up to 3 months by wrapping it tightly in proper freezer-safe packaging.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F until heated through and the tater tots regain their crispness. For a quicker option, you can microwave individual portions in 30 second intervals, though the potato topping will be softer than when it was originally baked.
Nutrition
Calories: 623kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 31gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 1652mgPotassium: 1055mgFiber: 6gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 5047IUVitamin C: 42mgCalcium: 363mgIron: 4mg
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