Cowboy Joe Casserole

Talk about family-friendly, this Cowboy Joe Casserole is a dinner that’s fit for everyone! It is incredibly easy to make and it’s one that you’ll have on repeat in your house. The base has a sloppy Joe and hamburger vibes all topped off with a crispy layer of tater tots. Kids will go crazy for the tater tot topping, but honestly, it’s just as irresistible for adults too! Plus, it’s perfect for meal prep—portion it out and reheat throughout the week for an easy, no-fuss dinner. Just add a dollop of sour cream and a side salad, and you’re all set!

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• Author: Taryn Camp

Ingredients

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• 1 pound of ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 can (15 oz) sloppy joe sauce
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 bag of frozen tater tots (28 oz or more)
• Ketchup or sour cream for serving

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onion until the beef is brown and the onion is softened, about 7-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
3. Stir in the sloppy joe sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes or until heated through.
4. Spread the beef mixture evenly in a greased 13 x 9 dish. Top the beef with the drained corn and then sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
5. Arrange the tater tots on top in an even layer. Some may overlap which is totally fine.
6. Bake in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
7. Serve with a side of sour cream and/or ketchup.

Fun fact: I never had Sloppy Joes growing up because my mom thought they were gross. Now that I’m older, I think it was just the name that threw her off. Turns out, the sandwich itself is amazing—ground beef, tangy tomato sauce, onions, Worcestershire, and a hint of sweetness! I can’t believe I missed out for so long.

This casserole is just as simple as a classic Sloppy Joe, but swaps out the bun for a delicious layer of tater tots. I threw in some corn and gave it a fun name, Cowboy Joe, to mix things up. So no worries about a messy sandwich here.

Even if you’re a beginner in the kitchen, don’t worry, you’ll totally be able to pull this off. Just sauté the beef and onion, stir in the sauces, and layer it all in a baking dish. Top it with cheese and a generous amount of tater tots, and you’re good to go. Pop it in the oven and serve with your favorite toppings. We loved ours with sour cream and a side salad with ranch and tortilla crisps. It’s the perfect comfort food that’s sure to please everyone!