This sloppy joe tater tot casserole is pure comfort food in one pan. You get juicy ground beef cooked with onions and peppers, coated in a rich sloppy joe sauce, then topped with a full layer of crispy tater tots and plenty of melty cheddar. It’s the kind of cozy, kid-friendly dinner that tastes like a throwback, but feels even better because it’s baked into a cheesy, crunchy casserole. Best of all, it comes together in just a few simple steps, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights, game day, or anytime you want an easy dinner that feeds a crowd.
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Why You'll Love This Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
If you love nostalgic sloppy joes, this casserole is going to be your new favorite way to make them. You still get that sweet-savory sloppy joe flavor, but instead of a messy bun, everything is layered into a baking dish, so every scoop has the good stuff. The sloppy joe meat stays saucy and hearty, the peppers and onions add a little sweetness and texture, and the tater tots bake up golden and crisp on top like the best part of a diner-style plate.
The cheese is what takes it over the top. Once it melts into the tater tots, it turns into that bubbly, cheesy crust that makes people go back for seconds. It’s an easy, no-stress family dinner that always disappears fast, and it’s one of those casseroles that’s just as good for leftovers the next day.
Ingredients You'll Need
- 1lb. lean ground beef
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 14oz. canned corn, rinsed, drained
- 24oz. Sloppy Joe sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 32oz. frozen tater tots
By the way, you can use many of these same ingredients to make my other sloppy joe casserole recipes: this sloppy joe casserole with pasta and this sloppy joe cornbread casserole.
How To Make Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
Step 1: Prep work
Preheat the oven to 450°F and lightly grease a 9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 2: Cook the ground beef
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart as you go, until it's browned on all sides. Then, drain the excess grease from the skillet once it's done cooking.
Step 3: Add the flavor
Add the corn, onions, and red bell pepper to the skillet with the cooked ground beef. Cook the veggies for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften. Then, add the sloppy joe sauce, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine, then let the meat mixture simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Assemble the casserole
Add the sloppy joe mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with half the shredded cheddar cheese, then add the frozen tater tots. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the tater tots.
Step 5: Bake and serve
Put the casserole dish in the oven and bake it for 20 minutes. Serve your tater tot sloppy joe casserole warm, and enjoy!
Expert Tips To Make The Best Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
- Use the right beef so it stays juicy, not greasy. An 80/20 blend gives you the best sloppy joe flavor, but it can leave extra fat. Brown it well, then drain the grease so the casserole doesn’t turn oily or soggy under the tots. If you use leaner beef, you may want an extra splash of sloppy joe sauce so the filling stays saucy.
- Brown the beef hard for better flavor. Don’t just “gray” the meat. Let it sit in the hot skillet for a minute or two between stirs so it develops browned bits. Those little browned spots add big flavor and make the sloppy joe base taste richer once the sauce goes in.
- Cut the veggies small so every scoop has a little of everything. Dice the onion and red bell pepper fairly small. Big chunks can stay crunchy and make the casserole harder to scoop cleanly. Smaller pieces soften quickly and blend into the sloppy joe mixture like it’s been simmering longer.
- Drain the corn if you’re using canned. Corn adds sweetness and texture, but the extra liquid can thin the filling and make the bottom watery. A quick drain helps keep the casserole thick and scoopable.
- Simmer the sauce before baking, so it thickens. That 5-minute simmer matters. It reduces excess moisture, lets the paprika bloom, and makes the filling thicker so it doesn’t bubble up and soften the tater tots. If the mixture still looks very loose, give it another couple minutes on the stove.
- Season after the sloppy joe sauce goes in. Sloppy joe sauce brands vary a lot in salt and sweetness. Add salt and pepper at the end of the simmer so you’re seasoning the final flavor, not guessing before the sauce hits the pan.
- Use cheese in two layers like you’re doing. Half under the tots helps bind the filling and gives you that melty, cheesy pull when you scoop. The rest on top is what creates that golden, bubbly crust over the tater tots.
- Keep the tater tots in a single tight layer for maximum crisp. The crispier the tots, the better this casserole is. Arrange them in one even layer, close together, across the entire top. Overlapping tots can steam where they touch and stay soft.
- Bake hot and don’t cover. 450°F is perfect for crisping the tots fast. Covering the casserole traps steam and makes the tots soggy, so leave it uncovered the whole time.
- Want even crispier tots? Pre-bake them first. If you’re obsessed with crunch, spread the tots on a sheet pan and bake them for 10 minutes while you cook the beef. Then add them to the casserole and bake as directed. This gives you extra-crispy tops without overcooking the filling.
- Rotate the dish if your oven has hot spots. At 450°F, ovens can brown unevenly. A quick rotation halfway through helps the tots crisp and brown more evenly across the top.
- Rest 5–10 minutes before serving. Right out of the oven the filling is bubbling and loose. A short rest helps it set up so it scoops cleanly and doesn’t run all over the plate.
- Make-ahead tip that actually works. You can cook the beef mixture ahead and refrigerate it. When you’re ready to bake, spread it in the dish, add cheese and tots, then bake. This keeps the tots crisp and prevents them from getting soft sitting on the filling too long.
- Leftovers tip for keeping tots crispy. Reheat in the oven or air fryer instead of the microwave. The microwave will soften the tots fast, but the oven brings the crunch back.
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
What can I serve with sloppy joe casserole?
This casserole is hearty, so you can go full comfort-food and serve it with Texas Roadhouse rolls, Bisquick cheddar bay biscuits, or Jiffy jalapeno cornbread for dipping in the sauce. If you want a lighter side to balance the richness, serve it with this house salad or carrot ribbon salad.
What is sloppy joe sauce made of?
Classic sloppy joe sauce is usually a tomato-based sauce made with ingredients like ketchup or tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, and vinegar, then seasoned to taste. Brands vary, but that sweet, tangy, savory combo is what gives sloppy joes their signature flavor.
Can I make sloppy joe tater tot casserole ahead of time?
Yes, and it’s one of the best make-ahead casseroles. Cook the ground beef and veggies, stir in the sloppy joe sauce and seasonings, then cool and store the filling in the fridge for up to a few days. When you’re ready to bake, spread the filling into the dish, add the cheese and frozen tater tots, and bake until hot and bubbly and the tots are crisp. For the crispiest tots, don’t add the tots until right before baking.
How do I keep the tater tots crispy on top?
Bake uncovered at 450°F and arrange the tots in a single tight layer. Also, make sure your sloppy joe mixture is simmered and thickened before it goes into the dish, so it doesn’t steam the tots from underneath. If you want extra crunch, pre-bake the tots on a sheet pan for about 10 minutes, then add them to the casserole.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through to help re-crisp the tots. The microwave works, but the tots will soften, so the oven or air fryer is the better move for keeping that crispy top.
Can I freeze sloppy joe tater tot casserole?
Yes, but it freezes best if you freeze the sloppy joe filling by itself. Tater tots can lose some crispness after freezing and reheating. If you want the best texture, freeze the beef mixture for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat it again, thaw overnight in the fridge, then assemble with fresh frozen tots and cheese right before baking.
More Casserole Recipes
- French fry casserole
- Pulled pork casserole
- Meatball sub casserole
- Hot dog casserole
- Chicken bacon ranch casserole
- Chicken cordon bleu casserole
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
This sloppy joe tater tot casserole is pure comfort food in one pan. You get juicy ground beef cooked with onions and peppers, coated in a rich sloppy joe sauce, then topped with a full layer of crispy tater tots and plenty of melty cheddar. It’s the kind of cozy, kid-friendly dinner that tastes like a throwback, but feels even better because it’s baked into a cheesy, crunchy casserole. Best of all, it comes together in just a few simple steps, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights, game day, or anytime you want an easy dinner that feeds a crowd.
Ingredients
- 1lb. lean ground beef
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 14oz. canned corn, rinsed, drained
- 24oz. Sloppy Joe sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 32oz. frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Prepare the baking dish by greasing it with some nonstick cooking spray.
- Cook the ground beef in a skillet until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
- Add corn, onions, and red bell pepper. Cook the veggies for 3-4 minutes.
- Add Sloppy Joe sauce and paprika powder. Stir to combine and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes over medium heat.
- Add the beef mixture to the baking dish.
- Top the beef with half the cheese, then add tater tots on top.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the tater tots.
- Bake the casserole for 20 minutes. Serve the casserole warm.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 659Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 61gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 32g
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