Description
Tater Tot Sloppy Joe Skillet is a comforting, family-friendly casserole that combines saucy ground beef, crispy tater tots, and plenty of melted cheddar cheese. It is an easy budget-friendly dinner that comes together in just 45 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 5–7 minutes, until the beef is browned and the vegetables are tender. Drain excess fat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, salt, pepper, and beef broth. Add a little more broth if the mixture is too thick.
- Arrange half of the frozen tater tots in an even layer in the baking dish.
- Spread the sloppy joe mixture over the tater tots.
- Sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese over the meat mixture.
- Add the remaining tater tots and top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until bubbly and the tater tots are golden and crispy.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped green onions.
Notes
- Serve hot with a simple green salad, coleslaw, or steamed vegetables.
- Add pickles or sliced jalapeños on the side for extra flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
- Reheat individual portions in the oven or air fryer to help the tater tots become crispy again.
- You can freeze the cooked casserole for up to 2 months, although the tater tots may lose some crispness after thawing.
- For the best texture, reheat leftovers uncovered rather than in the microwave.