Save This Recipe
Just enter your email below and we will send this recipe right to your inbox, plus we will send more yummy recipes and ideas.
This easy sloppy joe casserole tops a from-scratch sweet and tangy beef filling with cheesy, crispy tater tots. A quick par-bake keeps the tots crisp and cuts the baking time in half!
Print
Pin
Servings: 8 Servings
Ingredients
- 28-32 ounce bag frozen tater tots (28 oz Ore-Ida Extra Crispy preferred)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1½ lbs ground beef, 85% lean
- 1 teaspoon coarse Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup diced onion 1/2 a large onion
- 1 cup diced green bell pepper
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1¼ cups water
- 1 6 oz can tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard or cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar packed
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spread the frozen tater tots on a sheet pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, until thawed, warmed, and just starting to brown. They won't be fully crisp yet.
- While the tots are baking, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Season with the salt and pepper.
- Add the onion and bell pepper. Cook 4-5 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Add the ketchup, water, tomato paste, mustard, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid thickens slightly but stays saucy. Taste and add more salt or mustard if needed.
- Transfer the sloppy joe filling to a 13x9 glass or ceramic baking dish (I don’t bother to grease it).
- Carefully arrange the hot tots on top of the filling (if you used a 32 ounce bag, they won’t all fit) and sprinkle with the cheddar cheese.
- Bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, until the tots are crisp on top and the filling is bubbling around the edges. Tip: If the casserole is bubbling but the cheese has not browned, broil for 60-90 seconds.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Tater tots: A 28 oz bag of Ore-Ida Extra Crispy tots bakes up the crispiest and will fit perfectly on top of a 13x9 baking dish. But if you can't find those, a 32 oz bag of regular tots works too.
- Cheese: 1 cup of cheddar acts as a crisping layer for the tots. For a cheesier topping, use 1½ cups.
- Broiler tip: If the filling starts to bubble before the cheese browns, broil 60-90 seconds to brown the tots and cheese without overcooking the filling.
- One-pan option: Make the filling in a large cast iron skillet, top with the tots and cheese, and bake right in the skillet.
- Make ahead: The filling can be made ahead and refrigerated. Warm it up before assembling.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat covered in the oven or in the microwave. Freezing is not recommended.
Nutrition
Calories: 509kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 1268mg | Potassium: 732mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 377IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 153mg | Iron: 3mg