• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Salt & Lavender logo
  • Recipes
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • About
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Casseroles

    Sloppy Joe Casserole

    Published: Aug 31, 2022 / Updated: Sep 18, 2022 / 2 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    This Sloppy Joe casserole recipe is an easy, cheesy, and totally comforting family meal that's budget friendly! Tender ground beef is smothered in the best homemade sauce, and it's baked with tater tots and golden melty cheese.

    I think you'll also like my Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole or this irresistible Easy Cincinnati Chili next.

    closeup of a baking dish with sloppy joe casserole and a serving spoon

    Why you'll love it

    This easy Sloppy Joe casserole is the crossover you didn't know you needed in your life (but absolutely deserve). It's got all the best elements of a classic tangy, savory, and sweet Sloppy Joe Sandwich combined with the irresistible crispy, cheesy quality of a Tater Tot Casserole. That means it's a kid-friendly meal that's sure to satisfy a crowd of even the pickiest eaters.

    Because this Sloppy Joe tater tot casserole is very hands off once you're done the sautéing part, that leaves you more time on busy weeknights for the things that really matter while it's baking away. It's also inexpensive to make this perfectly seasoned ground beef casserole, so it's an obvious choice for a cozy family meal.

    Who invented tater tots?

    • The history is actually really interesting. They were invented in the 1950s by one F. Nephi Grigg, a frozen food company owner, when figuring out how best to utilize potato scraps. He travelled with his newly invented tater tots to the iconic beachside Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami, where they made their debut in the hearts of Americans and have been adored ever since. Genius!

    What goes into it

    • Ground beef - I like to use at least 90% lean
    • Onion - sweet (Vidalia) are my go-to, but yellow will also work
    • Green bell pepper - for added crunch and to sneak in a veggie
    • Ketchup and yellow mustard - for the base of the Sloppy Joe sauce
    • Garlic powder and smoked paprika - seasonings to infuse it with plenty of savory flavor
    • Red pepper flakes - totally optional, but this small amount adds a gentle warmth, not making it spicy
    • Worcestershire sauce - it's a great flavor enhancer for many recipes. I always have a bottle on hand.
    • White vinegar - for a touch of acidity and to add balance
    • Beef broth - it adds deeper, richer flavor and moisture
    • Cheddar cheese - I prefer to grate my own from a block since it tastes and melts really well, but the bagged kind works too
    • Tater tots - the crispy, fluffy star of this casserole. Use your favorite brand.
    ingredients for sloppy joe casserole on in prep bowls

    Pro tip

    • To make clean-up even easier, you can use the same oven-proof skillet from start to finish if it's big enough instead of transferring to a baking dish. This 12" Staub skillet is one of my favorites.

    How to make Sloppy Joe casserole

    This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    sauteing ground beef and making sauce for sloppy joe casserole in a skillet

    Preheat the oven. In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the beef, and drain excess fat if necessary. Add in the onion and green peppers, and cook for another few minutes, giving it a stir every so often. Reduce the heat, and stir in the rest of the sauce ingredients. Warm through.

    adding beef mixture to a casserole deep and topping with cheddar

    Transfer the beef mixture to a 9x13 baking dish, and spread it in an even layer. Sprinkle about one cup of the grated cheddar over top.

    sloppy joe casserole before and after baking

    Arrange the tater tots on top. It's totally fine if the entire quantity doesn't fit. Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes. Take it out of the oven and top with the remaining cheese. Pop it back in for a few minutes until the cheddar has melted, and serve right away!

    Can I make it ahead?

    • You can! Do everything up until adding the tater tots. Cover and refrigerate overnight, and add them just before baking to prevent them from getting soggy. Bake for a couple more minutes if it's going into the oven right from the fridge.
    • You could also make it ahead and freeze for up to three months. In that case, I'd add the tater tots when you're ready to cook it as well.

    Substitutions and variations

    • The crushed red pepper flakes add a gentle heat, but feel free to omit them if you're feeding younger kids, for example.
    • Some frozen peas would be a great addition. Just stir them in at step 4.
    • If you're feeling adventures, you could try a different melting cheese blend like Tex-Mex or Monterey Jack.

    What to serve with it

    • You can't go wrong with some chopped scallions and/or a little hot sauce or even some ketchup.
    • A big green salad is a fresh way to complement this hearty casserole. Try one with my Creamy Balsamic Dressing or popular Homemade Ranch Dressing.

    Leftovers and storage

    • Leftovers of this casserole will keep in a covered container for 3-4 days in the fridge.
    • Note that the tater tots will soften up over time, so you may want to reheat in the oven vs. the microwave to restore some of their crispiness. You could even use an air fryer if you've got one.
    • Leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

    More family favorites to enjoy

    • Shepherd's Pie
    • Simple Breakfast Casserole
    • Baked Chicken Spaghetti (with Rotel)
    • Easy Taco Casserole Recipe
    • Cream of Mushroom Soup Chicken Bake
    a bowl with a portion of sloppy joe casserole

    Let me know if you made this simple Sloppy Joe casserole or have any questions! I love hearing from my readers. You can also find me on Instagram to show me your creations.

    closeup of a baking dish with sloppy joe casserole and a serving spoon

    Sloppy Joe Casserole

    This Sloppy Joe casserole recipe is an easy, cheesy, and totally comforting family meal that's budget friendly! Tender ground beef is smothered in the best homemade sauce, and it's baked with tater tots and golden melty cheese.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 441 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 pound lean ground beef
    • 1 medium onion chopped
    • 1 green bell pepper chopped
    • 3/4 cup tomato ketchup
    • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
    • 1/2 cup beef broth or water
    • 2 cups cheddar grated
    • 32 ounces frozen tater tots see note
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat your oven to 375F and move the rack to the top third of the oven.
    • Add the beef to a skillet and cook over medium-high heat until browned, breaking it up with your spoon as you go along (about 10 minutes). I don't drain the fat if using lean beef, but feel free to drain some if you're using regular and there's a lot of excess fat.
    • Stir in the onions and peppers and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Reduce the heat to medium and add in the ketchup, mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, and beef broth. Give it a good stir and let it warm through (about 2-3 minutes - don't let it get too dry).
    • Transfer the mixture to a 9x13 casserole dish and spread it out in an even layer. Optional: if you have a large oven-safe skillet, feel free to make the casserole entirely in the skillet.
    • Top with one cup of the cheddar.
    • Arrange the tater tots on top and bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes.
    • Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and pop it back in the oven for another 5 minutes or until the cheese is nice and melty. Serve immediately with extra salt & pepper if needed.

    Notes

    • Tater tot package sizes can vary, so anything around 32 oz. will work, but you may use a bit less depending how you arrange them in your baking dish.
    • Ingredients in this dish can be somewhat salty, so be mindful of that before adding any extra salt (and you may want to use reduced sodium broth if you're sensitive to salt). 
    • Serves 6-8.
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
       

    Nutrition

    Calories: 441kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 22gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 1014mgPotassium: 650mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 620IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 232mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword sloppy joe casserole, sloppy joe tater tot casserole
    Author Natasha Bull
    « Classic Ambrosia Salad
    Easy Baked Chicken Breast »

    Loved this recipe? Share it:

    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Kristen C says

      October 13, 2022 at 6:30 PM

      5 stars
      Yummy comfort food! This sloppy Joe dish was a big hit with my 9 year old son, he didn’t leave any leftovers in his bowl. I used ground chicken instead of beef but was still super delicious. Will definitely make this a ton this fall and winter!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 13, 2022 at 7:05 PM

        I'm so happy it was a hit!! 😀

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Natasha Bull, founder and author of Salt & Lavender, in the kitchen

    Hi! I'm Natasha. Salt & Lavender is a recipe blog with a focus on delicious comfort food using everyday ingredients. Beat the weekday grind with hundreds of easy-to-follow and hassle-free recipes!  Read more...

    FREE 10 Easy Chicken Recipes E-book

    ​

      ​

      BROWSE RECIPES:

      Footer

      • Contact
      • FAQ
      • Site Policies
      • For Bloggers
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • Twitter

      · Copyright © 2023 Salt & Lavender Inc ·