Sloppy Joe Casserole

This Sloppy Joe Casserole is probably unlike anything you’ve seen: the most delicious sloppy joe filling is topped with a layer of crispy tater tots (YEP) that are then covered in melty cheese. It all crisps, melts, and becomes one in the oven and you become a mealtime hero. Dietary modifications are below!

What is Sloppy Joe Casserole?

Sloppy joe filling is essentially ground beef, some tomato, spices, and just a touch of sweetness that are cooked and tossed together until totally delicious. A typical sloppy joe serves this yummy filling between hamburger buns, but I decided to make a casserole out of it.

To make matters even MORE fun, I topped the filling with frozen tater tots. it’s that simple! Pop the pan into the oven and you will get delicious filling topped by crispy tots and (if you wish) a layer of melty cheese.

I like mine with sour cream and green onion!

If you’re looking for more delicious family-friendly meals, be sure to try this ham and cheese casserole and our fan-favorite stuffed pepper casserole – you won’t be disappointed!

Ingredients for Sloppy Joe Casserole

Ground beef, a simple Sloppy Joe sauce, tater tots, and some garnish – that’s it! Here’s the full list with amounts included.

• 2 pounds of ground beef
• 1 cup of ketchup
• ¼ cup of honey
• ¼ cup of yellow mustard
• 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1 teaspoon of paprika
• 32 ounces of frozen tater tots
• 2 cups of cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup of green onions, thinly sliced
• Sour cream, for garnish

Ingredient Variations and Modifications

We’ve got a couple of swaps and modification ideas for you!

• Make it dairy-free – skip the cheese topper and the sour cream garnish if you’re looking for a dairy-free dinner option.
• Swap the ground beef – if you’re short on ground beef (or just prefer a different protein) use ground turkey or ground chicken instead!

How to Make Sloppy Joe Casserole

This casserole is really easy to make and even has the potential to be a one-pan meal if you’ve got a big enough skillet. Here’s how you’ll make it happen:

1. Brown the ground beef – add the ground beef to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook for 15-20 minutes, breaking up the ground beef as it cooks, until it is fully browned.
2. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
3. Make the sloppy joe sauce – in a large bowl, whisk together the ketchup, honey, mustard, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika until fully combined.
4. Add the sauce to the ground beef – pour the sauce over the ground beef in the skillet and stir to coat. 
5. Transfer to a casserole dish – transfer the sloppy joe-style ground beef into a 9×13 casserole dish.
6. Top with tater tots – top the ground beef with the tater tots.
7. Bake – bake for 30 minutes, until the tater tots are browned.
8. Add cheese and bake again – sprinkle the cheese over the tater tots, and return the dish to the oven for 5 more minutes, until the cheese has fully melted.
9. Garnish and enjoy – garnish with a sprinkle of green onions and a dollop of sour cream, and enjoy!

Make-Ahead Method

To make this Sloppy Joe casserole ahead of time, brown the meat, mix it with the Sloppy Joe sauce, and transfer it into a 9×13 casserole dish. Before serving, top the ground meat with the tater tots and pop it into the oven to bake for 30 minutes. Pull it from the oven, top it with shredded cheese, and let it bake for 5 more minutes.

What to Serve with a Tater Tot Casserole

This casserole is filling on its own, no doubt, but if you’re looking to add a little bit of green to your plate, these veggie sides would be delicious accompaniments: 

• Roasted Asaparagus
• Steamed Green Beans
• Steamed Broccoli 
• Oven Roasted Broccoli
• Spicy Spinach Salad
• Lemon Sea Salt Arugula Salad
• Lemony Kale

How to Store Leftover Sloppy Joe Casserole

Store your leftover Sloppy Joe casserole in an airtight container (or tightly cover your casserole dish with aluminum foil) in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Frequently Asked Questions