Description
Sloppy joe tater tot casserole brings comfort food to a whole new level of deliciousness. Packed with ground beef, tangy sauce, and crispy tater tots, this dish will satisfy your cravings and feed a hungry crowd with ease.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1 bag frozen tater tots
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 onion
- 1 bell pepper
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup tomato sauce
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 pound of 90% lean ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles while cooking until no pink remains.
- Drain excess fat from the beef, then return the skillet to the stove and add ½ cup diced onion and ½ cup chopped bell pepper.
- Sauté the vegetables for 4-5 minutes until they soften, then mix in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Pour 1 cup tomato sauce into the skillet and stir in 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar.
- Season the mixture with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper, then simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Transfer the beef mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly across the bottom.
- Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the beef layer to create a melty base.
- Arrange 1 pound frozen tater tots in a single layer, ensuring complete coverage of the cheese and beef.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes at 375°F until the tater tots turn golden and crisp.
- Remove the casserole and top with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
- Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to melt the cheese completely.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to help it set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a watery casserole and ensure crispy tater tots.
- Choose lean ground beef (90/10) for a healthier version that won’t release excessive grease.
- For gluten-free adaptation, confirm all sauce ingredients are certified gluten-free and use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce.
- Fresh vegetables boost flavor, so don’t skip the onion and bell pepper, which add depth to the classic sloppy joe base.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg