Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole combines the flavors of a classic sloppy joe with the addition of tater tots and cheese, all baked together for a satisfying dish. And, it’s made in one oven-safe skillet for easy preparation and clean up! I also have a quick and delicious homemade Sloppy Joe recipe you will love and make you skip the canned sauce!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Ground Beef: You will need a pound of ground beef for the sloppy joe part of the casserole. You could also substitute ground turkey or chicken if preferred. For extra flavor and texture, I cooked a diced yellow onion with the ground beef.
Ketchup: Ketchup is the base of the sloppy joe mix, giving it sweetness and tanginess.
Chicken Broth: Chicken broth is added to help thin out the sauce, and add juiciness and flavor. You can adjust the amount to reach the desired consistency, or how thick or thin you prefer the sauce.
Spices & Flavorings: Brown sugar, yellow mustard, salt, pepper, and garlic powder will all add to the flavor of the sloppy joe mix.
Cheese: Shredded mild cheddar cheese is added in two layers, one below the tater tots and one on top. Feel free to try other kinds of cheese if preferred. I would try sharp cheddar, Colby jack, Monterey jack, or pepper jack, just to give you a few options.
Tater Tots: Look for a 32-ounce bag of frozen tater tots. Depending on the size of your skillet, you may not use the entire package. In my case, I used 72 tater tots, just to be exact 😊, so not quite the entire package.
Can I Make The Casserole Without An Oven-Safe Skillet?
Absolutely! I do love an oven-safe skillet, like a cast-iron, for both the ease of using one dish and how it cooks evenly. But, you can certainly use a 9×13-inch baking dish. If using a baking dish, you will need to cook the sloppy joe mixture in a pan first. Then, transfer the mixture to the baking dish and assemble the casserole as instructed. Cooking time may need to be adjusted, so watch the casserole carefully.
Can I Make Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can definitely make the casserole ahead of time. First, get the sloppy joe mix prepared as instructed. Next, assemble the casserole in the oven-safe skillet or baking dish. Cover the dish and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Then, pop it in the oven when you are ready, adjusting the baking time if needed.
What To Serve With Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
If you are looking for a delicious side dish to serve with the casserole, here are some tasty options:
- Wedge Salad
- Dinner Rolls
- Roasted Vegetables like asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or carrots
- Corn on the Cob
- Coleslaw
How To Store Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
To store sloppy joe tater tot casserole, first, let it cool to room temperature. Next, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat it until heated through in the oven or the microwave.
More Sloppy Joe Recipes
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced (about ½ cup)
- ¾ cup (180 g) ketchup
- 1 cup (240 g) chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups (226 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 package (32 ounces) frozen tater tots
- parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- To a 12-inch, oven-safe skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and onions. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up the meat as you go, for about 8-10 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Add the ketchup, chicken broth, brown sugar, mustard, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir until all ingredients are combined.
- Turn off the heat. Sprinkle 1 cup of cheddar evenly over the mixture.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese. (Depending on the size of your skillet, you may not use the entire package of tater tots.)
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Top with the remaining cheese. Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Garnish with parsley. Serve.
Did you make this recipe?
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
I liked that this was a little sweet and savory. Perfect weeknight meal!
Elizabeth
This dish is both hearty and delicious with the perfect combination of tater tot hotdish and a sloppy joe. Yum!
Rachael
This was actually addicting, I kept going back for more! The cheesy tots go really well with the sloppy joe, and I am not usually a sloppy joe fan!
Annabelle
This is a simple dish for a quick weeknight dinner, and it has the classic sloppy joe flavor you're looking for!
Bella
This is the definition of comfort food! It has the classic sloppy joe flavor and it is very hearty. I love the cheesy tater tots.
Selena
I adore the meat filling with the cheesy tater tots.l Perfect combo!
Amazing. Easy and hands down the best of any tater tot casserole I’ve ever made.