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BBQ Beef Tater Tot Casserole

Featured in Simple Beef Recipes.

Made this BBQ beef casserole for our neighborhood potluck and came home with an empty dish! The seasoned meat with BBQ sauce gets so flavorful under those crispy tater tots. My kids love helping sprinkle the cheese on top. Great for busy nights since you can prep ahead and just pop in the oven. Made it for new parents down the street and they requested the recipe. The beans make it extra hearty. Perfect comfort food that feeds a crowd. Love having leftovers for lunch next day if there are any.
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Mina cooking in her kitchen
Updated on Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:55:02 GMT
A bowl of cheesy tater tots topped with seasoned ground beef and garnished with green onions. Pin it
A bowl of cheesy tater tots topped with seasoned ground beef and garnished with green onions. | lastminrecipes.com

The Best BBQ Beef Tater Tot Casserole

This BBQ beef tater tot casserole brings together all your favorite comfort foods in one amazing dish. The sweet and smoky sloppy joe mixture topped with crispy tater tots and melty cheese creates pure dinner magic. I love how it combines simple ingredients into something that makes everyone at the table happy.

Why This Casserole Always Gets Rave Reviews

What makes this BBQ beef tater tot casserole special is how all those flavors come together sweet tangy and smoky in every bite. The crispy tots and gooey cheese create the perfect topping while those pantry staples below make it so easy to throw together. It's become my go-to when I need a crowd-pleasing dinner.

What You'll Need

  • Ground beef: Makes everything hearty and delicious.
  • Sloppy joe sauce: Adds that perfect sweet tang.
  • Baked beans: They make it extra special.
  • Corn: For color and natural sweetness.
  • BBQ sauce: Brings that smoky flavor.
  • Yellow mustard: Just a touch makes everything pop.
  • Spices: My perfect blend of seasonings.
  • Frozen tater tots: They get so perfectly crispy.
  • Shredded cheddar cheese: Because more cheese is better.

Let's Make Magic

Get Started
Heat that oven and prep your pan.
Cook Your Beef
Brown it up nice and drain off any extra fat.
Build The Base
Mix in all those sauces and let everything simmer.
Layer It Up
Meat mixture cheese then those tots on top.
Bake To Perfection
Let it get hot and bubbly then add more cheese.
Time To Serve
Let it cool just a bit then dig in.

Make It Your Own

Want some heat? Add green chilies or switch to pepper jack cheese. Try ground turkey for a lighter version. You can even play with different BBQ sauces and baked beans to make it sweeter or more savory.

Save Some For Later

Your casserole will stay delicious in the fridge for about four days. When you reheat it cover it with a damp paper towel to keep everything perfectly moist.

A casserole dish filled with a meat and corn mixture topped with golden tater tots and sprinkled with green onions. Pin it
A casserole dish filled with a meat and corn mixture topped with golden tater tots and sprinkled with green onions. | lastminrecipes.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why let tater tots thaw slightly?

Room temperature tots cook more evenly and get crispier.

→ Can I use sweet BBQ sauce?

Regular BBQ sauce recommended as sweet sauce plus baked beans makes it too sweet.

→ Why simmer the meat mixture?

Simmering thickens the sauce and helps flavors combine better.

→ Can I make this ahead?

Prepare meat mixture ahead, but add tots and cheese just before baking.

→ Why add cheese in two stages?

Middle layer adds flavor while top layer creates a perfect melted finish.

BBQ Beef Tater Tot Casserole

A hearty casserole combining seasoned ground beef and beans in BBQ sauce, topped with crispy tater tots and melted cheese.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes
By: Mina

Category: Beef

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1 casserole)

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 1 pound lean ground beef.
02 1 can (15 oz) sloppy joe sauce.
03 1 can (16 oz) original baked beans.
04 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained.
05 1/3 cup BBQ sauce.
06 1 teaspoon yellow mustard.
07 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.
08 1/2 teaspoon cumin.
09 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
10 1/2 teaspoon chili powder.
11 1/2 teaspoon onion powder.
12 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots.
13 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat oven to 375°F.

Step 02

Brown beef with salt, drain.

Step 03

Add sauces, beans, corn, seasonings.

Step 04

Simmer 10 minutes until thickened.

Step 05

Spread in 9x13 baking dish.

Step 06

Top with 1 cup cheese.

Step 07

Layer tater tots on top.

Step 08

Bake 30-35 minutes.

Step 09

Add remaining cheese.

Step 10

Bake 3-5 minutes more.

Notes

  1. Let tots come to room temp.
  2. Use regular, not sweet BBQ sauce.
  3. Can prep meat mixture ahead.
  4. Cool 5-10 minutes before serving.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13 baking dish.
  • Large skillet.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (cheese).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 485
  • Total Fat: 22 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 48 g
  • Protein: 28 g