Tater Tot Sloppy Joe Skillet (Printable Version)
Crispy tots and juicy beef layered with cheddar cheese in a skillet for an easy comforting meal.
# Ingredients:
→ Protein and Aromatics
01 -
450 grams ground beef (80-85% lean)
02 -
100 grams yellow or white onion, finely diced
03 -
3 grams garlic, minced (approximately 1 clove)
→ Sauces and Condiments
04 -
120 grams plain tomato sauce
05 -
60 grams ketchup
06 -
45 grams barbecue sauce
07 -
10 grams yellow mustard
08 -
5 grams Worcestershire sauce
→ Seasonings
09 -
5 milliliters extra virgin olive oil
10 -
3 grams kosher salt
11 -
2 grams freshly ground black pepper
12 -
2 grams onion powder
13 -
2 grams smoked paprika
→ Toppings
14 -
340 grams frozen tater tots
15 -
115 grams shredded sharp cheddar cheese
# Steps:
01 -
Preheat the oven to 220°C. Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for approximately 25 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, following package instructions if needed.
02 -
Heat olive oil in a large, deep oven-safe skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add ground beef and diced onion. Break up meat with a wooden spoon and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is fully browned and onion is translucent.
03 -
Add minced garlic, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and smoked paprika to the beef mixture. Stir constantly and cook for 1 minute until fragrant and edges of the mixture begin to turn golden.
04 -
Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, barbecue sauce, yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix thoroughly and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes to blend flavors and thicken the sauce slightly.
05 -
Evenly spread the baked tater tots over the beef filling in the skillet. Press lightly to nestle the tots together ensuring every serving contains both topping and filling.
06 -
Sprinkle shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots. Place the skillet under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, or until cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
07 -
Remove the skillet from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the topping to set. Serve hot directly from the skillet for a comforting meal.
# Notes:
01 -
For best texture, bake tater tots until very crispy before layering and broiling with cheese.
02 -
Resting the dish before serving helps the cheesy topping set for easy portioning.
03 -
Leftovers store well refrigerated up to three days and reheat crisply in a toaster oven.