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Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Skillet Recipe

4.4 from 585 reviews

This Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Skillet is a delicious one-pan meal combining savory ground beef cooked with a flavorful sloppy joe sauce, topped with crispy baked tater tots and melted colby jack cheese. Perfect for a comforting family dinner that’s quick to prepare and satisfies both kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef Mixture

  • 1 ½ lb. lean ground beef
  • ½ onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¾ cups ketchup
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp prepared mustard
  • pinch of red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Topping

  • 30 to 40 frozen tater tots
  • 1 ½ cups colby jack cheese, shredded
  • 2 tbsp green onions, sliced

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready to crisp up the tater tots.
  2. Cook the Ground Beef and Vegetables: In an oven-safe skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef for about 3 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic, cooking until the beef is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
  3. Make the Sloppy Joe Sauce: Return the skillet to medium-low heat and stir in ketchup, water, brown sugar, chili powder, prepared mustard, red pepper flakes, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix well and cook until the sauce thickens slightly, coating the beef mixture.
  4. Add the Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer evenly over the beef mixture in the skillet.
  5. Bake the Skillet: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the tater tots are browned and crispy on top.
  6. Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Carefully remove the skillet from the oven, sprinkle the shredded colby jack cheese evenly over the tater tots, then return the skillet to the oven. Bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven, garnish with sliced green onions, and serve immediately. Enjoy your hearty and flavorful meal!

Notes

  • You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
  • For extra spice, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
  • Use your favorite cheese if you prefer something other than colby jack; cheddar works great too.
  • Make sure to use an oven-safe skillet to avoid transferring food to another dish for baking.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated, but the tater tots may lose some crispiness.

Keywords: Sloppy Joe, Tater Tot Skillet, Ground Beef, One-Pan Meal, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner