Sloppy Joe Meatball Casserole Recipe

Sloppy Joe Meatball Casserole is a quick and simple, four ingredient recipe that is sure to become a family favorite. It combines the classic flavors of a traditional Sloppy Joe sandwich into an easy to make, easy to eat casserole. 

Hearty meatballs are coated in the classic sweet and tangy sauce. Then seasoned tater tots are placed on top and put in the oven to bake.

Finally, the casserole is topped with shredded cheddar cheese and put back in the oven to melt. What you are left with is a cheesy, warm and filling casserole that is both satisfying and delicious!

It is a great weeknight meal when you have limited time to prepare dinner. In addition, this recipe can also be made well in advance and placed in the freezer or refrigerator for a make ahead meal. Then all you have to do is put it in the oven to bake.

Best of all it requires only 4 common ingredients! With the help of common pre-made ingredients you will spend less than 10 minutes preparing this delicious recipe.

And who couldn’t use a few recipes like that to make life easier and to keep everyone happy?

INGREDIENTS REQUIRED TO MAKE SLOPPY JOE MEATBALL CASSEROLE

1. Meatballs

This recipe calls for 2 pounds of frozen meatballs. This is the perfect amount to fill a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.

As for the meatballs themselves, you can choose any variety that you prefer. From traditional pork and beef meatballs to chicken or turkey meatballs, the choice is up to you.

I actually prefer to use the smaller, appetizer size meatballs like I use when making my 3 Ingredient Cocktail Meatballs for holiday gatherings. I find them a little easier to eat than the bigger, spaghetti size meatballs because there is no cutting required.

Although, if you have extra time on your hands, you can certainly make Homemade Meatballs or even Porcupine Meatballs and use them in this recipe. However, because this is an easy to make recipe, most of us will probably stick with store-bought frozen meatballs.

2. Sloppy Joe Sauce

You will need 2 standard cans of your favorite Sloppy Joe sauce to make this meatball casserole recipe. You can choose between the original, bold or thick and chunky sauce.

Again, if you have extra time on your hands, feel free to make a homemade sauce. This is a great way to decrease the amount of sugar that is in the sauce. See: Homemade Sloppy Joe Sauce Without Ketchup.

3. Frozen Seasoned Tater Tots

The top of the casserole consists of a layer of seasoned tater tots. Although that is technically a brand name, you can also find them called Tater Bites or Tater Rounds depending on the brand you choose.

They come in a variety of sizes including a standard size, mini size and a flatted disc shape. You can use any form of the shredded potato rounds in this recipe.

However, be sure to purchase seasoned potatoes for the most flavor.

4. Shredded Cheese

Right before the Sloppy Joe Meatball Casserole comes out of the oven you will sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the potatoes. Sharp Cheddar cheese has a nice bold flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.

However you can choose a milder type of cheese if you prefer such as Mozzarella or Provolone. And if you like a little more spice, choose Colby Jack or Hot Pepper Cheese.

Although it is best to shred your own cheese, I am a realist and know that most of us (including me) will purchase store-bought pre-shredded cheese. Just know that the cheese won’t melt as evenly because it has an anti-caking agent that prevents it from melting smoothly.

By combining these 4 simple, easy to find ingredients you will have a delicious dinner on the table with very little effort!

Sloppy Joe Meatball Casserole Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 lbs. frozen meatballs
• 30 ounces sloppy Joe sauce
• 32 oz. frozen seasoned tater tots
• 2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

First, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Next, put the frozen meatballs in a single layer at the bottom of the prepared dish. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes.

While the meatballs are baking, in a large saucepan on the stove top, add the 2 cans of Sloppy Joe sauce and place over medium heat. Then bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring frequently. Reduce the heat to low and cover.

After 20 minutes of baking time, take the partially cooked meatballs out of the oven and pour the hot Sloppy Joe sauce over them.

Then, place the frozen tater tots over top of the meatballs and sauce. Place the dish back in the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the tater tots are heated through.

Last, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over top and return it to the oven to bake for an additional 4-5 minutes, just until the cheese melts. *You can also melt the cheese under the broiler setting, but keep a close eye on it so that the cheese doesn’t burn.

Finally, remove the dish from the oven and serve warm

Make Ahead Option

For a time saving option you can prepare this Sloppy Joe Meatball Casserole dinner ahead of time.  Start by partially cooking the meatballs and then pour the sauce on top. Then let it cool completely, cover and refrigerate. 

Once the casserole is cold add the frozen tots on top. Then cover and freeze. Once you are ready to cook, be sure to let it thaw a few hours ahead before putting it in the oven. The bake as directed.

How To Store Leftovers

Before you store your casserole, be sure to allow the casserole to cool down at room temperature for about 35-45 minutes. Then cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

If you have a lot of leftovers, consider portioning the casserole into individual servings. This makes reheating easier and reduces the need to reheat the entire dish.

In addition, it is a super easy way to prepare and pack lunches for the next day!

Reheating Instructions

If your Sloppy Joe Meatball Casserole has been frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Once thawed, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the desired portion in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Reheat for about 20-25 minutes or until the center is heated through.

For a quick individual serving, place the casserole on a microwave safe plate. Then heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals until warmed through.

Enjoy! Mary

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