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A casserole with tater tots on top
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BBQ Beef Tater Tot Casserole

This BBQ Beef Tater Tot Casserole is a family favorite dinner! A ground beef dinner recipe with a sweet and smokey sloppy joe mixture, that's topped with crispy tater tots and lots of cheese.
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Keyword bbq beef tater tot casserole recipe, tater tot casserole
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 can (15 oz) sloppy joe sauce
  • 1 can (16 oz) original baked beans do not drain
  • 1 can (15 oz) corn drained
  • 1/3 cup bbq sauce
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 375° F. Spray a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside. 
  • In a large skillet pan, over medium-high heat, brown ground beef and salt until meat is no longer pink. Break up and crumble meat as you cook it. Drain.
    1 lb lean ground beef, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Add sloppy joe sauce, baked beans, corn, bbq sauce, mustard, and spices. Stir together and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. It should get slightly thicker as it simmers. 
    1 can (15 oz) sloppy joe sauce, 1 can (16 oz) original baked beans, 1 can (15 oz) corn, 1/3 cup bbq sauce, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, ½ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • Evenly spread the meat mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with 1 cup of the shredded cheese and then layer the frozen tater tots, in a single layer, over top of the cheese.
    1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • Cook for 30-35 minutes or until tater tots are browned and cooked through, and the casserole is hot and bubbling. 
    Add the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese on top of the tater tots, and put the casserole back into the oven for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
  • Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish the casserole with thinly sliced green onions if wanted.

Notes

Tip : Use regular bbq sauce + regular original baked beans. If you use a sweeter variety of each, then the casserole will definitely end up being sweet. 
Tater Tots : I like to put these out at room temperature before I start making this casserole. That way, they have a little time to thaw slightly while I cook the ground beef and let it simmer. You may have some leftover from the bag.