Excellent choice! Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food mashup. It’s easy, family-friendly, and combines all the savory, saucy goodness of Sloppy Joes with the crispy, potato-y perfection of Tater Tots.
Here’s a classic and delicious recipe for you.
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
This recipe takes the classic flavors and bakes them into a hearty, one-dish meal.
Ingredients:
· 1 lb ground beef (80/20 is ideal for flavor)
· 1 medium onion, finely chopped
· 1 bell pepper (any color), finely chopped (optional)
· 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed tomato soup
· 1 cup ketchup
· 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
· 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
· 1 teaspoon garlic powder
· 1 teaspoon chili powder (optional, for a little heat)
· Salt and black pepper to taste
· 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
· 1 bag (28-32 oz) frozen Tater Tots
Instructions:
- Preheat and Brown:
· Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
· In a large skillet or oven-safe braiser, brown the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper over medium-high heat. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the vegetables are softened. Drain off any excess grease.
- Make the Sloppy Joe Filling:
· Reduce the heat to low. To the skillet, add the tomato soup, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, chili powder (if using), salt, and pepper.
· Stir everything together until well combined and heated through. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Assemble the Casserole:
· If your skillet is oven-safe, you can assemble it directly in the skillet. Otherwise, transfer the meat mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
· Sprinkle 1 ½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the meat mixture.
· Arrange the frozen Tater Tots in a single layer on top of the cheese and meat. You can pack them tightly.
- Bake:
· Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the Tater Tots are golden brown and crispy, and the filling is bubbly around the edges.
- Add Final Cheese and Serve:
· Remove the casserole from the oven and immediately sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese over the hot Tater Tots. This will make it wonderfully cheesy.
· Let it stand for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly for easier scooping.
Recipe Variations & Tips:
· “Manwich” Shortcut: For an even quicker version, substitute the tomato soup, ketchup, and seasonings with 1 can (15.5 oz) of Sloppy Joe sauce (like Manwich).
· Add Beans: Stir in a can of drained and rinsed kidney beans or pinto beans with the meat mixture for extra fiber and stretch the servings.
· Spice it Up: Add a diced jalapeño (with seeds for more heat) when cooking the onion and pepper, or add a dash of hot sauce to the filling.
· Cheese Options: Feel free to use a different cheese. A Colby Jack blend or even pepper jack cheese would be delicious.
· Vegetable Boost: Add a cup of frozen corn or mixed vegetables to the meat mixture for a hidden veggie boost.
· Crispy Tots: For extra crispy Tater Tots, you can spray the tops lightly with cooking spray before baking.
· Make Ahead: You can assemble the casserole up to the point of adding the Tater Tots, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add the Tots and increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes since it will be going into the oven cold.
This is the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table. It’s hearty, satisfying, and sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation. Enjoy