Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

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Y’all, here is a casserole that will let you lose the buns on your sloppy joe sandwiches.  We’ll just place those tater tots on top of the sloppy joes instead of beside them on the plate.  Y’all are going to love this casserole and your kids are guaranteed to clean up their plates.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2  – 3 pounds ground chuck
• 1 small sweet onion – diced
• 1 green pepper – diced
• 1  can tomato paste (6 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
• 2 cloves garlic – minced
• 1 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 – 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
• 1 bag frozen tater tots

1. Brown your ground chuck in a large pan over medium heat.  Once browned, remove all but 1-2 tablespoons of any fat.  Add the onions and pepper and cook 3-5 minutes till tender.
2. Add tomato paste, red pepper flakes and garlic.  Cook about 3-5 minutes longer to brown and caramelize the tomato paste.  Add the water, sugar, molasses, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, dried mustard and celery seed.  Stir well and cook for 5 minutes on medium heat.
3. Pour contents into 9×13 baking dish and top with half of your cheese.
4. Top cheese with taters tots…probably only will need about 3/4 bag, but you may squeeze in extras
5. Top with remaining cheese.
6. Place in a 400°F oven and bake 35-40 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and tater tots browned
7. Let cool a couple minutes and serve.