Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

Oh, hello comfort food of my dreams!

This Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole combines two all-American classics into one ridiculously satisfying dish.

Imagine the tangy, savory goodness of homemade sloppy joe filling topped with crispy golden tater tots and melty cheddar cheese. It’s what food fantasies are made of.

What makes this casserole special is how the flavors meld together during baking. The slightly sweet and tangy sloppy joe sauce seeps into the crispy tater tots, creating this amazing contrast of textures.

And that double layer of cheese?

Pure genius. It creates this gooey middle layer AND a bubbly golden top that will have everyone at the table fighting for the corner pieces.

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef, 90% lean
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 15 ounces tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon gluten-free Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 16 ounces frozen tater tots

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Make sure your rack is positioned in the center for even heat distribution.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the 1 pound ground beef and cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Break it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks for an even texture. If excess fat accumulates, drain it off to prevent a greasy casserole.
3. Add the diced onion and chopped green bell pepper to the skillet. Cook until vegetables are softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the onions become translucent. Add the minced garlic in the last minute only – cooking garlic too long can make it bitter.
4. Stir in the 15 ounces tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The mixture should thicken slightly but still remain saucy – if it gets too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of water.
5. Spread the beef mixture evenly in a 9×13-inch lightly greased baking dish. For best results, use a spatula to create a level surface. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the meat mixture in an even layer.
6. Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese. For optimal crispiness, avoid overlapping the tots. You should be able to fit approximately 40-45 tots depending on their size.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy. You can test if they’re done by pressing gently on one – it should feel firm and crisp, not soft.
8. Remove from oven and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the tater tots. Return to oven and bake for another 5 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly with some golden spots beginning to form.
9. Allow the casserole to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting period helps the layers set up and makes serving neater. The internal temperature should be around 165°F (74°C) when tested with an instant-read thermometer.

Smart Swaps

• Use ground turkey instead of beef (1:1 ratio) for a lighter version with less saturated fat
• Substitute sweet potato tots for regular tater tots to add more nutrients and fiber
• Try pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar for a spicy kick

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Replace the 1 tablespoon brown sugar with 1 tablespoon monk fruit sweetener to eliminate 12g of carbs
• Use cauliflower tots instead of potato tots to reduce carbs by approximately 15g per serving
• Add 1 cup of finely diced zucchini to the meat mixture to increase fiber and reduce the glycemic impact
• Serve with a side of non-starchy vegetables like a simple green salad to balance the meal
• Limit portion size to 1/8 of casserole (approximately 1 cup) instead of 1/6 to reduce carb load by about 10g per serving

Pro Tips

• For extra flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika to the meat mixture
• Let the casserole sit for a full 10 minutes before serving – it really does make cutting cleaner slices possible
• If you prefer extra-crispy tots, pre-bake them on a separate baking sheet for 10 minutes before adding to the casserole
• This casserole freezes beautifully! Portion into individual containers and freeze for up to 3 months for quick weeknight dinners