Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Skillet (Print-Friendly Version)

# What You'll Need:

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01 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
02 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon salt
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
07 - 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
08 - 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
09 - 1/2 cup ketchup
10 - 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
12 - 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
13 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
14 - 1 (28 ounce) bag frozen tater tots
15 - 1 pound ground beef (80% lean)

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Pop the skillet under the broiler. Wait a minute or two till the cheese goes bubbly and golden. Snatch it out fast so it doesn’t burn.
02 - Throw the grated cheddar all over those tater tots so nothing is left uncovered.
03 - Spread your crispy tater tots right on top of the meat and sauce. Gently press them in for good measure.
04 - Splash tomato sauce, ketchup, BBQ sauce, mustard, and Worcestershire in. Give it a good mix and let it bubble away on low till it thickens up, about 5 minutes.
05 - Toss in the garlic, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sizzle everything until the smell is amazing, about a minute.
06 - Heat olive oil in a big oven-friendly skillet over medium. Drop in the beef and chopped onion. Stir around for about 8 minutes till the beef is browned and onion looks soft.
07 - Fire up your oven (follow tater tots package for temp). Lay them out on a tray and bake until you get that perfect crunch.

# Helpful Notes:

01 - Go for the crispiest tots you can find. The crunch makes it awesome.
02 - Try swapping in sharp cheddar for a stronger cheesy punch, or pepper jack if you like some spice.
03 - Turkey or chicken work great in place of beef if you want something lighter.
04 - Packing your tater tots close together stops sogginess.
05 - Boost smoky flavor with a little chipotle powder if you're into that.