Delicious Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

Y’all, tater tot casserole just got a major upgrade, and the star of the show is none other than Joe—Sloppy Joe, to be exact (bahaha!)! This delicious dish is a blend of classic sloppy joes and tater tot hotdish, creating a kid-friendly, delicious meal that your whole family will absolutely love. Pinky promise.

Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole is a simple and easy weeknight recipe that can be made in one pan for easier cleanup. Yes please!

If you’re a fan of tater tot hotdish, don’t miss out on the classic Minnesota Tater Tot Hotdish or the chicken tater tot casserole for other family-friendly meal options.

Sloppy Joe Ingredients

The key ingredients for this recipe include:

• 1 bag of frozen tater tots (splurge on name-brand for the crispiest tots)
• 1 recipe of homemade sloppy joe sauce (if you don’t have one, try my popular recipe featuring ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, and a touch of brown sugar for sweetness)
• 1 cup frozen mixed veggies (I like the classic one with carrots, green beans, and peas)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese blend like shredded Colby Jack cheese)

Make Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Hotdish

If you haven’t tried making your own sloppy joe sauce, my homemade version is a game-changer. It’s packed with minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and a perfect balance of tomato sauce and spices that simmer together in a large skillet over medium-high heat to create a rich sloppy joe mix. You can, of course, use the canned version at your own risk.

To assemble the sloppy joe tater tot casserole:

1. Begin by spreading the sloppy joe sauce evenly in the prepared baking dish.
2. Next, spoon the mixed veggies over the sauce, just like in a traditional Minnesota tater tot hotdish. The addition of bell peppers and onions adds a fresh, flavorful crunch to the beef mixture.
3. Of course, no tot casserole is complete without cheese! Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese over the veggies and sloppy joe mixture. This cheese layer melts beautifully and adds a creamy, savory touch that complements the crispy tots perfectly.
4. Now for the best part: topping the casserole with a single layer of frozen tater tots. Line up the tots neatly on top before baking, which creates a golden brown, crispy crown that everyone loves.
   
   A quick tip for the crispiest tots: use frozen tater tots from a trusted brand and keep them frozen (avoid them thawing) before baking to make sure they stay crispy.
5. Once assembled, bake the casserole in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 45 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown. For an even crispier finish, turn on the broiler for the last five minutes to get those crispy tots and bubbling cheese everyone craves.

Make Ahead and Freeze for Later

This sloppy joe tater tot casserole is perfect for making ahead of time and freezing for those busy days when you want a homemade meal without hassle and fuss. To prepare ahead, assemble the casserole as directed but do not bake it. Cover the unbaked casserole tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Store it in the freezer for 2-3 months.

When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw the casserole overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, remove the plastic wrap and foil, then bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 45-50 minutes or until the tater tots are golden brown and the casserole is bubbly. For an extra crispy top, you can broil for the last 3-5 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.

Note: Because the tots and mixed veggies are already frozen, I find it handy to simply freeze the sloppy joe mixture to have on hand when I want to whip up this casserole. I thaw the meat and assemble the casserole.

Storing Leftover Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Hotdish

I plan on doubling what I need of this hotdish because the leftovers are BETTER than the original.

For fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days. When reheating, cover the casserole dish with foil and bake at 350 degrees until warmed through, or microwave individual portions for a quick meal. The crispy tots may soften slightly but the flavors remain just as delicious.

For freezing: Allow the casserole to cool completely before freezing to maintain the best texture and flavor. Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container or cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to keep it from getting freezer burn.

Label the container with the date and freeze for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, thaw the casserole overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through and bubbly, usually about 20-30 minutes. Turn it to broil for a couple of minutes at the end to crispen the tots.

This sloppy joe tater tot casserole recipe combines the best of both worlds: the savory, tangy sloppy joe mix with the crispy, golden brown tater tots and gooey cheese. It’s a delicious casserole that brings the whole family together with every bite. Serve hot and watch everyone ask for seconds! Don’t forget to review the recipe and comment if your family enjoyed this tasty tot casserole as much as mine did.

Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Hotdish

| 8 servings

Prep Time | 10 minutes mins

Cook Time | 45 minutes mins

Total Time | 55 minutes mins

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A delicious Tater Tot Hotdish with the delicious addition of sloppy joe sauce. 

Ingredients

 

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• 1 recipe sloppy joe sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup frozen mixed veggies
• 2 cups cheddar cheese
• 1 bag frozen tater tots

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Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• Spread the sloppy joe sauce on the bottom of a 9 by 13 baking dish.
• Spread the mixed veggies on top.
• Gently pour the water on the top. 
• Add the cheese to the top. 
• Top with tater tots. 
• Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until bubbling. Tip: to get the tater tots extra crispy and the cheese bubbling, turn the broiler on for the last 5 minutes, or so.