Imagine the most mouth-watering combination of classic American comfort foods that will make your taste buds dance with joy! This Sloppy Joe Tator Tots recipe is about to revolutionize your dinner game, bringing together the messy, flavor-packed goodness of sloppy joes with the crispy, golden crunch of tator tots. It's the kind of dish that will have your family fighting for seconds and your friends begging for the recipe. Perfect for busy weeknights, game day gatherings, or when you're craving something absolutely irresistible, this one-pan wonder is about to become your new favorite meal!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 bag frozen tator tots
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish by lightly greasing it with cooking spray or butter.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles. Cook until the meat is no longer pink and has developed a nice golden color.
- Add diced onions to the skillet and sauté with the ground beef for 3-4 minutes until the onions become translucent and slightly softened.
- Drain any excess fat from the beef and onion mixture to ensure a cleaner, less greasy dish.
- Stir in ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients and create a rich, tangy sauce.
- Spread the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Arrange the frozen tator tots in a single layer on top of the beef mixture, covering the entire surface.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tator tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle shredded cheese over the top of the tator tots.
- Return to the oven for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the cheese to melt completely.
- Let the dish cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow the ingredients to set and prevent burning.
- Serve hot, scooping out portions that include both the sloppy joe mixture and crispy tator tots with melted cheese.
Tips
- Drain the Ground Beef Thoroughly: To prevent a greasy dish, make sure to drain excess fat after cooking the beef. This ensures a cleaner, more appetizing meal.
- Season Generously: Don't be shy with your seasonings! The combination of Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and mustard creates a rich, tangy flavor profile.
- Crispy Tator Tot Trick: For extra crispy tots, make sure they're arranged in a single layer and not overcrowded in the baking dish.
- Cheese Melting Hack: Add the cheese in the last 2-3 minutes of baking to get that perfect, gooey melted topping without burning.
- Let It Rest: Allow the dish to cool for 5 minutes after baking. This helps the ingredients set and makes serving easier.
- Customize Your Dish: Feel free to add diced bell peppers or swap ground beef for ground turkey for a lighter version.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the beef mixture in advance and assemble the dish just before baking for a quick weeknight meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 75mg
