This Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole is made with a sweet and savory homemade sloppy joe filling topped with melted cheddar cheese and crispy golden tater tots.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

There’s just something about a good tater tot casserole that my whole family loves, and this sloppy joe version is such a fun twist. My kids absolutely loved this one. Its on our regular fall/ winter dinner rotation.

The homemade sloppy joe filling is super flavorful and comes together easily right in a skillet. Add some cheddar cheese and crispy tater tots on top and you’ve got an easy, comforting dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT

Easy to make: Everything comes together with simple ingredients and very little prep.
Family friendly: Sloppy joes, cheddar cheese and crispy tater tots are pretty hard to say no to.
Great weeknight dinner: It’s hearty, filling and doesn’t require a ton of effort.
Homemade sloppy joe flavor: The tomato paste, ketchup, brown sugar and Worcestershire make the filling sweet, tangy and savory.

INGREDIENTS

Here is everything you’ll need to make this delicious recipe. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements and instructions on the recipe card below.

Ground beef – Creates the hearty, savory base for the sloppy joe filling.
Onion – Adds a subtle sweetness and lots of flavor as it cooks with the beef.
Bell pepper – Adds a little sweetness, texture and classic sloppy joe flavor.
Garlic – Adds another layer of savory flavor to the beef mixture.
Salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder – Season the beef and build flavor right from the beginning.
Tomato paste – Gives the sloppy joe filling a deeper, richer tomato flavor.
Tomato sauce – Creates the saucy base and brings everything together.
Ketchup – Adds sweetness, tang and that familiar sloppy joe flavor.
Brown sugar – Balances the savory ingredients with just the right amount of sweetness.
Worcestershire sauce – Adds a rich, savory depth to the sauce.
Cheddar cheese – Melts over the sloppy joe filling and adds a delicious cheesy layer underneath the tater tots.
Frozen tater tots – Create that crispy, golden topping that makes this casserole so good.

HOW TO MAKE IT

Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large skillet, add the ground beef, diced onion, diced bell pepper. Cook the beef, breaking it apart as it browns, until it’s completely cooked through and the vegetables have softened. Drain any excess grease if necessary. Season everything with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Stir the minced garlic in for an additional minute.

ground beef, onion, bell pepper and garlic sauteeing in skillet

Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook with the beef for about 2–3 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together until well combined. Let the sloppy joe mixture cook for another couple of minutes so all those flavors can come together.

Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Arrange the frozen tater tots over the cheese in an even layer. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the tater tots are crispy and golden brown. Let it cool slightly, garnish with parsley (optional) then serve warm and enjoy!

sloppy joe mixture in a baking dish topped with cheese and tater tots baked until golden brown.

PRO TIPS

Drain the ground beef well if there’s a lot of grease so the casserole doesn’t become oily.
Don’t skip cooking the tomato paste for a couple of minutes. It helps deepen the tomato flavor and takes away that raw tomato-paste taste.
Add the tater tots straight from the freezer. There’s no need to thaw them first.
Arrange the tots in a single layer so they have plenty of room to get crispy.
If you want the tots even crispier, broil the casserole for a minute or two at the end. Just keep a close eye on it.

VARIATIONS

You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken if you’d like to lighten it up a little.
Try using pepper Jack instead of cheddar for a little kick, or a cheddar-Jack blend for extra cheesy flavor.
For a spicier sloppy joe filling, add some diced jalapeños, crushed red pepper flakes or a splash of your favorite hot sauce.
You can also add extra vegetables like diced mushrooms or carrots to the beef mixture.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH IT

This casserole is pretty hearty all on its own, so I like keeping the sides simple. A basic salad, roasted broccoli, green beans or corn would all be great with it.

You could also serve it with some pickles on the side. That little bit of tang goes really well with the sweet and savory sloppy joe filling.

Can I Make Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole Ahead Of Time?

Yes. You can make the sloppy joe filling ahead of time and assemble the casserole, but I’d wait to add the frozen tater tots until right before baking so they stay nice and crispy.

Can I Use Canned Sloppy Joe Sauce Instead?

Yes, absolutely! If you're short on time, you can substitute your favorite canned sloppy joe sauce for the homemade sauce ingredients.

STORAGE & REHEATING

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

For the best results, reheat the casserole in the oven or air fryer so the tater tots can crisp back up. You can also microwave individual portions, but the tots will be softer.

Other Easy Casserole Recipes

I love making casseroles on a busy weekday. I've rounded up all my Best Casserole Recipes so you can find them easily in one place. I highly recommend my Chicken & Stuffing Casserole. Its always a huge hit!

ALL MY BEST CASSEROLE RECIPES