Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

Cheesy, Crispy, Family-Friendly Comfort

This Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights! Packed with seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and golden crispy tater tots, it’s a meal the whole family will love. The tangy Sloppy Joe-inspired sauce makes every bite saucy and flavorful, perfect for cozy dinners, game nights, or potlucks.

Best of all, this beginner-friendly casserole comes together in under 40 minutes with minimal prep, so you can have a hearty and delicious dinner on the table without stress. A warm, gooey, and crispy dish that’s bound to become a household favorite.

⏱️ Time Breakdown

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 4

📝 Ingredients List

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1–2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 8 oz can tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp mustard
• 2 tbsp BBQ sauce
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
• 30 oz bag Crispy Crowns or Tater Tots
• Dried parsley for garnish

 Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

• Large oven-safe skillet
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Mixing bowls
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Baking dish (optional, if not using oven-safe skillet)

Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and chopped onion. Cook until beef is browned and onion is softened. Drain excess grease. 
3. Stir in salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, and minced garlic. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, and BBQ sauce. Simmer on low heat for 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Sprinkle shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly over the beef mixture. 
6. Arrange Crispy Crowns or Tater Tots in a single even layer on top.
7. Place skillet in oven (or transfer to a baking dish). Bake for 25 minutes until tater tots are golden and crispy. 
8. Garnish with dried parsley and serve hot.

💡 Pro Tips

• Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in oven for best crispiness.
• Make ahead: Assemble casserole ahead of time, refrigerate, and bake when ready.
• Substitutions: Swap Colby Jack with cheddar or mozzarella if preferred.
• Serving idea: Pair with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables to balance the richness.

Nutrition Table

Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.

Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

This Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights! Packed with seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and golden crispy tater tots, it’s a meal the whole family will love.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 420 kcal

Equipment

• Large oven-safe skillet
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Mixing bowls
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Baking dish (optional, if not using oven-safe skillet)

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 –2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 8 oz can tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp mustard
• 2 tbsp BBQ sauce
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
• 30 oz bag Crispy Crowns or Tater Tots
• Dried parsley for garnish

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and chopped onion. Cook until beef is browned and onion is softened. Drain excess grease.
• Stir in salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, and minced garlic. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
• Add Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, and BBQ sauce. Simmer on low heat for 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
• Sprinkle shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly over the beef mixture.
• Arrange Crispy Crowns or Tater Tots in a single even layer on top.
• Place skillet in oven (or transfer to a baking dish). Bake for 25 minutes until tater tots are golden and crispy.
• Garnish with dried parsley and serve hot.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in oven for best crispiness.
Make ahead: Assemble casserole ahead of time, refrigerate, and bake when ready.
Substitutions: Swap Colby Jack with cheddar or mozzarella if preferred.
Serving idea: Pair with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables to balance the richness.

Nutrition
Serving Size : 1 plate
Calories : 420
Protein : 18g
Carbs : 35g
Fat : 22g
Fiber : 4g
Sugar : 6g

Keyword cheesy casserole, easy comfort food, ground beef dinner, oven-baked skillet, sloppy joe casserole, tater tot casserole

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