This Sloppy Joe tater tot casserole layers sweet and tangy ground beef with melted cheddar and a topping of crispy, golden tater tots, all baked together in one dish. It’s hearty, family-friendly, and on the table in about an hour with ingredients you can keep on hand any night of the week.
More Sloppy Joe Casseroles
Before You Get Started
A few tips that make a real difference with this casserole:
- Use the 24-ounce can of Manwich. The smaller 15-ounce size won’t give you enough sauce to coat the filling. If you’d rather skip the can, 1 ½ times the sauce from my Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes works great here.
- Don’t thaw the tater tots. Add them straight from the freezer. Thawing first causes them to steam rather than crisp, and you’ll lose that golden top.
- Broil for the last 2 to 3 minutes. A quick run under the broiler at the end gives you that extra-crispy finish. Just keep a close eye on it so the tots don’t burn.
How to Make Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
This dish comes together in a few simple steps. You’ll brown the filling on the stovetop, layer it in the baking dish, and let the oven do the rest.
Step 1: Make the Filling
Cook the ground beef with the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
Once the beef is no longer pink and the veggies have softened, about 7 to 9 minutes, drain off the excess grease. Stir in the sloppy joe sauce and drained corn.
Taste and season with salt and pepper.
⇢ Swap the veggies: Canned green beans, frozen peas, or sliced mushrooms all work in place of the corn and bell pepper. Just make sure any fresh or frozen veggies are cooked or thawed before adding to the filling so they don’t release excess moisture in the oven.
Step 2: Layer the Casserole
Transfer the hot filling to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top, then arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer to cover the filling completely.
Step 3: Bake
Bake the casserole uncovered at 375°F for about 45 minutes, until the filling is hot and bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown.
For a crispier topping, slide the dish under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes at the end.
Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving, then top with sliced green onions or fresh parsley for a colorful finish.
Serve It Up
This casserole is a full meal on its own, but a simple side rounds things out nicely. A green salad with red wine vinaigrette is an easy go-to, and garlic roasted broccoli pairs really well with the sweet and tangy filling.
A scoop of homemade coleslaw on the side is another great fit.
Storage and Make-Ahead
Refrigerator: Leftovers keep in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Reheat covered loosely with foil in a 350°F oven for 20 to 30 minutes, removing the cover for the last 5 to 10 minutes to help the tots crisp back up. Individual portions can also be reheated in the microwave for about 1 minute.
Freezer: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Make-Ahead: Assemble the filling up to 24 hours ahead and transfer it to the baking dish. Cover and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, let the dish sit at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes, then add the cheese and tater tots right before it goes in the oven. Add a few extra minutes to the bake time if the filling is still cool.
Freeze Before Baking: Assemble the casserole, wrap tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. If using a freezer-to-oven-safe dish, bake directly from frozen at 375°F for 60 to 90 minutes, keeping the top covered for the first 30 to 40 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use homemade sloppy joe sauce instead of Manwich?
Absolutely. Use 1 ½ times the sauce amount from my Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes recipe in place of the canned sauce. It gives you a little more control over the flavor.
How do I keep the tater tots crispy?
Two things help most: add them frozen rather than thawed, and bake the casserole uncovered the entire time so steam can escape. A 2 to 3 minute run under the broiler at the end makes a big difference for that golden, crunchy top.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes. Ground turkey or ground chicken both work well here. My Slow Cooker Turkey Sloppy Joes use a similar flavor profile if you want a leaner take on the filling.
More Tater Tot Casseroles to Try
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
Equipment
- 9 x 13-Inch Baking Dish
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 medium sweet bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic (about 1 large clove)
- 1 (24 ounce) can sloppy joe sauce* (such as Manwich)
- 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 (28 ounce) package frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, onion, bell pepper, and garlic until the meat is no longer pink and the vegetables are soft, about 7 to 9 minutes. Drain off the excess grease. Stir in the sloppy joe sauce and corn. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer the filling to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer to cover the filling.
- Bake uncovered for 45 minutes, or until the filling is hot and bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown. For a crispier topping, place the dish under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions or chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Use the 24-oz can of Manwich, not the smaller 15-oz size. You need the full amount of sauce to coat the filling properly.
- Don’t thaw the tater tots before adding them. Frozen tots give you a crispier topping.
- Broil for the last 2 to 3 minutes for the best crunch. Watch closely so the tots don’t burn.
- Cheese options: Sharp cheddar works great, but Pepper Jack, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella are all good swaps.
- Protein swaps: Ground turkey or ground chicken can be used in place of ground beef.
- Veggie swaps: Try green beans, peas, sliced mushrooms, or zucchini in place of the bell pepper or corn. Cook or thaw fresh or frozen veggies before adding to the filling.
- Make-ahead: Assemble the filling up to 24 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Add cheese and tater tots right before baking, and allow a few extra minutes of bake time if the filling is still cold.
- Storage: Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Originally published in January, 2025, this post was updated in April, 2026.
Which color of sweet bell pepper do you recommend for this recipe?
Hi, Celeste! I like green bell pepper in this recipe, since it’s a little zesty and less sweet than red or another color. That said, any color that you have on hand or that’s available would work great!
Hi Blair, thank you for the pepper pointers!
Delicious, flexible and affordable. I seasoned my tots and added a 50/50 of Monterey jack and Colby cheese. Will make this again. Thanks for the recipe
Thank you for the feedback, Jess! We’re so glad you enjoyed it.