Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole (Printer-Friendly)

Juicy beef, tangy sauce, crispy tater tots, and melty cheese baked together for hearty weeknight comfort.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Main

01 - 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (85% lean recommended)
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Sauce

08 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce, unsalted
10 - 1/4 cup ketchup
11 - 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
12 - 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce

→ Topping

13 - 1 1/2 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded
14 - 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen tater tots or crispy crowns
15 - 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes, for garnish

# Steps to Make This:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and chopped onion, breaking up meat as it cooks. Sauté for about 8 minutes until the beef is well browned and onions are tender.
02 - Stir in salt, pepper, onion powder, and paprika. Cook for 2 minutes, allowing the spices to release their aromas and blend into the beef mixture.
03 - Add minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, and barbecue sauce. Mix thoroughly, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld. If the mixture appears dry, add a splash of water.
04 - Turn off the heat. Evenly sprinkle shredded Colby Jack cheese over the beef mixture, covering the surface as much as possible.
05 - Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese, overlapping slightly for full coverage.
06 - Transfer skillet to the oven on the middle rack. Bake for 25 minutes or until tater tots are golden brown and crisp, and the sauce is bubbling at the edges.
07 - Remove from the oven and let rest for several minutes. Sprinkle dried parsley over the top for color. Serve hot, ensuring each portion contains all layers.

# Additional Notes:

01 - For best results, do not thaw tater tots before baking to achieve maximum crispness.
02 - Let the beef brown thoroughly before adding sauce to deepen flavor.
03 - Freshly shredded cheese melts more evenly than pre-shredded.
04 - Leftovers keep well refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
05 - Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F to maintain tater tot crunch, or use a microwave if short on time.

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