Description
A hearty casserole combining seasoned ground beef in sloppy joe sauce with tater tots and melted cheese — comfort food all in one dish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (≈ 450 g) lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 15 oz (≈ 425 g) tomato sauce
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 cups (≈ 226 g) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 16 oz (≈ 450 g) frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add the diced onion and green bell pepper; cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic in the last minute.
- Stir in tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for ~5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Spread the beef mixture evenly in a lightly greased baking dish.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the beef mixture.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until tater tots are golden and crispy.
- Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese on top, and bake an additional ~5 minutes until melted and bubbly.
- Let the casserole rest a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter version.
- Make sure to drain any excess grease after browning the meat to avoid a soggy casserole.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sloppy joe mix.
- You can assemble ahead of time (without tater tots) and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Leftovers store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to ~3 days; reheat in the oven for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 437 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1215 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
