Sloppy Joe Tater Tots (Print-Friendly Version)

A comforting one-pan dish layering savory beef, melted cheese, and crunchy tater tots for easy, hearty dinners.

# Ingredients:

→ Meat and Aromatics

01 - 1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
02 - 1 cup chopped onion (firm, shiny skin)
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Spices and Sauces

04 - 1 teaspoon salt
05 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
06 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 cup tomato sauce (no added sugar)
10 - 0.25 cup ketchup
11 - 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
12 - 0.25 cup barbecue sauce

→ Cheese and Topping

13 - 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
14 - 32 ounces frozen tater tots

→ Garnish

15 - 1 teaspoon dried parsley

# Steps:

01 - Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and chopped onion. Cook for about 8 minutes, stirring frequently and breaking the beef into small pieces, until beef is deeply browned and onions have softened.
02 - Stir in salt, black pepper, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Cook for a few more minutes until spices are fragrant and ingredients are well coated.
03 - Add minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, ketchup, yellow mustard, and barbecue sauce. Stir thoroughly and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 3 minutes, adding a splash of water if the sauce is too thick.
04 - Turn off heat. Evenly scatter shredded Colby Jack cheese over the meat mixture, covering the surface without leaving gaps.
05 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange tater tots in overlapping rows over the cheese to cover completely. Bake for 25 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crisp and the edges bubble.
06 - Allow to stand a few minutes after baking. Sprinkle dried parsley on top. Serve by scooping from top to bottom to include all layers.

# Notes & Tips:

01 - Use an oven-safe skillet to bake directly or transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish if preferred.
02 - Shred cheese from a block for smoother melting.
03 - Reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven to preserve tater tot crispness.
04 - Ground turkey or plant-based alternatives can substitute ground beef.

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