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Tater Tot Sloppy Joe Skillet

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The Tater Tot Sloppy Joe Skillet is a crowd-pleasing, one-pan comfort food classic that combines the sweet-savory flavor of Sloppy Joes with the crispy, golden goodness of tater tots.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat & Vegetables:

1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 tbsp garlic, minced

2 tbsp olive oil

Sloppy Joe Sauce:

1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tbsp BBQ sauce (use smoky or sweet, based on preference)

1 tbsp yellow mustard

1–2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Seasonings:

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp paprika

Toppings:

1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots, baked

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or cheese of choice)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven & Bake Tater Tots

  • Preheat your oven to 425°F (or follow the package instructions for your tater tots).

  • Spread tater tots on a baking sheet in a single layer.

  • Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden and crispy.

2. Cook the Ground Beef and Onion

  • While tots are baking, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat.

  • Add chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until slightly softened.

  • Add ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon.

  • Cook for 6–8 minutes until browned and fully cooked through.

  • Drain excess grease if necessary.

3. Add Garlic and Seasonings

  • Stir in minced garlic, salt, pepper, onion powder, and paprika.

  • Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

4. Make the Sloppy Joe Sauce

  • Pour in tomato sauce, ketchup, BBQ sauce, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.

  • Stir to combine and let simmer for 5–7 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend and the sauce to thicken slightly.

5. Layer the Tater Tots

  • Turn off the heat. Arrange the pre-baked tater tots in a single layer on top of the beef mixture in the skillet.

6. Top with Cheese and Broil

  • Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots.

  • Place skillet under the broiler for 1–2 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch closely to avoid burning.

7. Serve

  • Carefully remove from oven and let rest for a couple of minutes.

  • Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley or green onions if desired.

Notes

  • Make it spicy: Add diced jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes to the beef.

  • Vegetarian option: Use meatless crumbles and plant-based cheese.

  • Gluten-free option: Ensure your ketchup, BBQ sauce, and Worcestershire sauce are gluten-free.

  • Cheese options: Swap cheddar for pepper jack, mozzarella, Colby Jack, or a blend.

Find it online: https://claradelish.com/tater-tot-sloppy-joe-skillet/