Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
You don't need to be a kid to enjoy tater tots. If you have always loved tater tots, you should try this sloppy joe tater tot casserole that combines two childhood favourites!
Equipment
12-inch cast iron skillet or oven-safe skillet
9x13 inch (23x33cm) baking dish
Wooden spoon or spatula
Instant-read thermometer
Cutting board and knife
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef - 450g
1 cup onion - chopped, 160g
2 small celery stalks - finely diced
14 oz ketchup - 400g; tomato sauce in Australia and UK- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar - packed
1 ½ cups cheddar cheese - shredded, 170g- 1 bag frozen tater tots - 32 oz / 907g
½ teaspoon salt - or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F / 190°C (170°C fan-forced). Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, chopped onion, and diced celery. Cook, breaking the beef into small pieces with a wooden spoon, for 7–8 minutes until the beef is fully browned with no pink remaining and the onion is translucent.1 lb lean ground beef, 1 cup onion, 2 small celery stalks
- Add the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, and salt. Stir to combine.14 oz ketchup, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Stir everything together and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the meat.
- Transfer the meat mixture into a 9x13 inch (23x33cm) baking dish and spread it evenly across the bottom.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the meat mixture. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single flat layer on top of the cheese, covering the entire surface.1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, 1 bag frozen tater tots
- Bake at 375°F / 190°C (170°C fan-forced) for 30–40 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the meat sauce is bubbling around the edges. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Storage: Cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer-friendly: Freeze individual portions in sealed containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating: Spread portions on a baking sheet and reheat at 375°F / 190°C for 10–12 minutes to re-crisp the tater tots. Avoid microwaving — it makes the tots soggy.
Make-ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate unbaked. Add the frozen tater tots just before baking so they stay crisp.
Pro tip: Don't drain all the fat from the beef — leaving a small amount in the mixture keeps the sauce from drying out during baking.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 316kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 24gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 1097mgPotassium: 544mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 633IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 231mgIron: 2mg
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