Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole. Yup, you heard right. It’s sloppy joes…but fancier. Kinda. Okay, not really fancier, but definitely more fun! Why should you try it? Because it’s comfort food on steroids and requires approximately zero brain cells to assemble. Plus, who doesn’t love tater tots?

My husband, bless his heart, is the definition of a meat-and-potatoes kinda guy. He used to roll his eyes whenever I tried to get “fancy” in the kitchen (read: added a single herb). But this? This is his weakness. The first time I made it, he went back for thirds and then proceeded to fall into a happy food coma on the couch. The kids? They literally cheer when they see me pulling out the bag of tater tots. It’s become our official “I’m-too-tired-to-cook-but-still-want-to-be-Mom-of-the-Year” meal. It’s a staple, a regular, and sometimes I make it when nobody asked for it. It’s just that good.

Why You’ll Love This Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

It’s basically childhood nostalgia in a casserole dish. I mean, come on, sloppy joes AND tater tots?
Clean-up is a breeze. One dish, people! ONE!
Even picky eaters will devour this. I swear, it’s magic. Maybe because of the sugar content, but shhhh, we won’t tell them.
It’s the ultimate “I have no idea what to make for dinner” solution.

How to Make It

Alright, here’s the deal. Brown your ground beef in a skillet. Don’t burn it. I usually forget to drain it and it comes out a little greasy, so try not to do that (but hey, no judgment if you do, we’ve all been there). Then, dump in your ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper. Stir it all up good, let it simmer for a bit so the flavors get all friendly with each other.

Now, grab a casserole dish (9×13 is my go-to, but honestly, whatever you have on hand will work). Pour the sloppy joe mixture into the bottom. Spread it around, make it look pretty if you’re feeling ambitious. Then, arrange your tater tots on top. In rows, scattered, whatever. There’s no wrong way to tater tot.

Bake it in the oven until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy. I usually peek every few minutes because my oven has a mind of its own. Let it cool for a minute or two (or just dive right in, I won’t tell). And BAM! Dinner is served.

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Just drop your email here and I'll send it right away! Plus you'll get new recipes from me every week. Yes please!

Ingredient Notes

Ground Beef: I usually use 80/20 because, well, flavor. But if you’re feeling virtuous, go leaner. Just don’t get too lean, or it’ll be dry. Nobody wants dry sloppy joes.
Ketchup: Don’t skimp on the good stuff! The cheap stuff just doesn’t cut it.
Brown Sugar: This adds that touch of sweetness that balances out the savory. If you only have white sugar, that’s fine in a pinch. I’ve done it. Just use a little less.
Worcestershire Sauce: Don’t even think about skipping this. It adds a depth of flavor that you just can’t replicate. Plus, it’s fun to say. Worcestershire!
Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: Because fresh garlic and onions are annoying to chop. But seriously, they add that extra layer of yum.
Tater Tots: Ore-Ida or bust, people. Just kidding (kinda). Use whatever brand you like, but don’t get the sweet potato ones. I mean, you can, but I’m not responsible for the outcome.

Recipe Steps:

Brown ground beef in a skillet and drain excess grease.
Stir in ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Simmer mixture for 5-10 minutes to meld flavors.
Pour sloppy joe mixture into a casserole dish.
Arrange tater tots evenly over the sloppy joe mixture.
Bake until tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
Cool slightly and serve hot.

What to Serve It With

Honestly? Nothing. This is a meal in itself. But if you’re feeling fancy, a side salad would be nice. Or maybe some steamed broccoli to pretend you’re being healthy.

Tips & Mistakes

Don’t overcrowd the skillet when browning the beef. It’ll steam instead of brown. Brown in batches if necessary.
Keep an eye on the tater tots while they’re baking. They can go from golden brown to burnt in a heartbeat.
If you’re feeling extra, sprinkle some shredded cheese on top before baking. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, whatever floats your boat.
I forgot to drain the grease from the ground beef once. Don’t be me.

Storage Tips

Leftovers? If there are any (unlikely), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll be good for a couple of days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.

And yes, I have totally eaten this cold for breakfast. Don’t judge. It’s surprisingly good. Especially when you’re hungover. Not that I would know anything about that…ahem.

Variations and Substitutions

No ground beef? Ground turkey or chicken works just fine.
Out of brown sugar? Honey or maple syrup are good substitutes. Or just use white sugar, like I said before.
Want to spice things up? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some diced jalapenos to the sloppy joe mixture.
Vegetarian? Use lentils or a plant-based ground meat substitute. I haven’t tried it myself, but let me know how it goes!
Forgot the mustard? It’ll be okay, I promise. I’ve forgotten it before. Add some extra Worcestershire sauce to make up for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

I can’t have gluten… will this still work?

Totally. Just switch the Worcestershire sauce for a gluten-free version. They exist, I swear! And double-check your tater tots, just in case. Still tastes bomb.

Do I have to use a casserole dish?

Nope! A cast-iron skillet would work great too. Or even a baking sheet. Just make sure it has sides, otherwise, you’ll have sloppy joe juice all over your oven.

Can I use frozen tater tots instead of fresh?

Um, tater tots ARE frozen. Unless you’re making them from scratch, which, kudos to you, but I definitely am not. So yes, use frozen!

How sweet is this? Can I tone it down a bit?

You totally can. Cut the brown sugar a little or swap in honey or maple syrup. I’ve even used molasses once when I was feeling adventurous (don’t recommend it).

What if I skip the onion powder?

Honestly? It’s fine. It won’t be *quite* as flavorful, but it’ll still be delicious. Just add a little extra garlic powder.

Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Remember it later

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!