Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

Grew up with Sloppy Joe. he was never my favorite. but then i discovered how to make the sauce without opening a can! although shortcuts are great, this is super easy to mix together, so i put in the extra (healthier) effort.

Tater Tots? Anything ‘potato’ gets my attention. Add some cheese - i’m all about it!

this is an easy recipe to alter. so add your favorites, skip what doesn’t apply to you. sauté onions with the ground beef. or peppers. or both! Serve a green salad and some crusty italian bread. dinner is complete and i guarantee kids will love it! definitely made with love!

p.s. this makes a great breakfast alternative: top it with a fried egg… a little cholula… omg. it’s perfection on a plate!

Ingredients:

• 1lb ground beef

• 1 can of sloppy joe sauce *

• 16oz of frozen tater tots

• 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

• cook the ground beef, drain off fat. stir in sloppy joe sauce *

• pour into a baking dish (8x8 or 9x9 or split into two smaller baking dishes - one for now, one for later!)

• sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheddar (try pepper jack, taco or mexican cheese!)

• top with the tater tots, decoratively, of course

• top with 1/2 cup remaining cheese

• bake at 425° for 20-30 minutes

* Sloppy Joe sauce

in a mixing bowl, add:

• 1/2 cup ketchup

• 1 Tbsp worchestershire sauce

• 2 tsp brown sugar

• 1 tsp Montreal Steak Seasoning

• 1/2 tsp dry mustard

• 1/4 tsp garlic powder

• 3 “shakes” each from the following seasonings: cumin, coriander, chili powder; and many shakes of oregano

• 1/4 - 1/2 cup of water (to your desired consistency)