Creamy, juicy, and downright comforting, Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate weeknight crowd-pleaser. This dish takes the familiar sweet-and-savory goodness of sloppy joes and turns it into a cheesy, tater tot–topped casserole that browns to crispy perfection. It’s fast to pull together, feeds a crowd, and makes excellent leftovers—what’s not to love? Fun fact: casseroles rose to fame in the mid-20th century as one-dish miracles for busy families, which is exactly the spirit of this recipe.
If you love easy comfort food, you’ll also enjoy the similar family favorite Cheesy Tater Tot Meatloaf Casserole that uses many of the same tricks for rich flavor and crunchy topping. Try this version when you want something saucy and nostalgic with minimal fuss. Trust me—this one will have everyone asking for seconds.
What is Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole?
What’s in a name? Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole mashes up the classic sloppy joe sandwich with the cozy, oven-baked goodness of a tater tot casserole. Why call it that—did someone dump a sandwich into a baking dish? Maybe—does it matter when the result is this delicious? The name is playful and honest: saucy ground beef meeting crispy tater tots. And let’s be real, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Try it and you’ll see why this hybrid comfort dish gets devoured. Ready to give it a go? Grab your skillet and let’s get cooking.
Why You’ll Love This
- Rich, satisfying flavor: The savory beef simmered in a tangy, slightly sweet sauce and topped with melty sharp cheddar and golden tater tots creates a delightful contrast of textures and flavors.
- Budget-friendly and family-wise: Ground beef, pantry sauces, and frozen tater tots make this a low-cost dinner that stretches to feed a crowd—perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks.
- Topping versatility: The crispy tater tots and bubbly cheese add a craveable finish; customize with pickled jalapeños, green onions, or extra mustard for a flavor boost.
If you enjoyed our other tater-topped recipes, you’ll find this version just as comforting but quicker to assemble. Go ahead—make it for dinner tonight and watch it disappear.
How to Make:
Quick Overview
This casserole is easy to prepare, packed with saucy flavor, and finishes with a crispy, cheesy top. The steps are straightforward: brown the beef with aromatics, stir in a simple sauce, layer with cheese and tater tots, then bake until golden and bubbling. Prep time is about 15 minutes and baking takes roughly 25 minutes, so you’ll have dinner on the table in about 40 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium yellow or sweet onion, diced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 1/2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (8-ounce) package sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 (30-ounce) package frozen tater tots (about 2/3 of the bag)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little oil so the casserole won’t stick.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, and diced green bell pepper. Cook, stirring and breaking the meat up with a spoon, until the beef is fully browned and the vegetables are soft, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the pan—use caution and a spoon or a colander to avoid burns.
- Return the skillet to medium-low heat and stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix until the sauce is evenly combined and warm. Let the mixture simmer for 3 to 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld, then remove from heat.
- Spread the beef and sauce mixture evenly into the prepared 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle just over half of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly across the meat layer.
- Arrange the tater tots in a single even layer over the cheese—use about 2/3 of the 30-ounce bag. If you like extra crispiness, leave a little space between tots. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar over the tater tots to cover them.
- Bake the casserole in the preheated 450°F oven for about 25 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crisp and the cheese is melted and bubbly. If you prefer extra browning, place under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes while watching carefully.
- Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving to set slightly. This makes it easier to portion and keeps it from running.
What to Serve With
- Crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness
- Steamed green beans or roasted broccoli for a veggie side
- Pickles or quick-pickled red onions for brightness and acidity
- Ranch or warm nacho cheese dip for dunking tater tots
- Iced tea, lemonade, or a cold beer for casual family-style dining
Top Tips for Perfecting
- Swap ground beef: Use ground turkey or a beef–pork mix for different flavor and cost options.
- Cheese choices: Sharp cheddar is classic, but try pepper jack for a kick or mozzarella for stretchiness.
- Don’t overcrowd tots: Leave them in a single layer for the crispiest finish.
- Sauce balance: Taste before baking—add more brown sugar for sweetness or a splash of vinegar for extra tang.
- Avoid soggy casserole: Drain fat well and don’t overload the meat layer with excess sauce.
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Reheat single servings in the microwave, covered, for 1–2 minutes until hot.
- Oven reheating: For best texture, reheat in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes until warmed through; this helps re-crisp the tater tots.
- Freezing: Assemble but do not bake; wrap tightly with plastic and foil and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake at 375°F for 35–45 minutes or until heated through.
- Avoid repeated reheating to maintain best flavor and texture.
FAQs
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the casserole, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the bake time if chilled.
Can I use frozen onions and peppers instead of fresh?
Absolutely. Frozen diced onions and peppers work fine—just thaw and drain excess moisture if necessary before cooking.
Is there a vegetarian version of this dish?
Yes. Swap the ground beef for a plant-based ground meat substitute or cooked lentils and adjust seasoning to taste.
How do I make the tater tots extra crispy?
Bake at a high temperature (450°F) and avoid overlapping tots. Finishing briefly under the broiler for 1 minute can add extra color—watch closely to prevent burning.
Can I reduce the sodium or sugar in the sauce?
Yes. Use low-sodium tomato sauce and ketchup, and reduce the brown sugar to 1 tablespoon or substitute a sugar-free sweetener to taste.
Conclusion
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole is a fail-safe, family-friendly dinner that combines saucy, savory beef with melty cheese and a satisfyingly crunchy tater tot topping. It’s simple enough for weeknights, budget-friendly, and endlessly customizable—what’s not to love? For another take on tater tot casseroles and inspiration, check out the original Cooking in the Midwest’s Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole recipe which offers helpful notes and variations. Give this one a try, invite the family, and enjoy the comfort food vibes.
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Baking Dish
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium yellow or sweet onion, diced
- 1/2 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (8-ounce) tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 1/2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 package (8-ounce) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 package (30-ounce) frozen tater tots (about 2/3 of the bag)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little oil so the casserole won’t stick.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, and diced green bell pepper. Cook, stirring and breaking the meat up with a spoon, until the beef is fully browned and the vegetables are soft, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
- Return the skillet to medium-low heat and stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix until the sauce is evenly combined and warm. Let the mixture simmer for 3 to 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld, then remove from heat.
- Spread the beef and sauce mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle just over half of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly across the meat layer.
- Arrange the tater tots in a single even layer over the cheese—use about 2/3 of the 30-ounce bag. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar over the tater tots to cover them.
- Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crisp and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving to set slightly.
