Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Bake

Preheat oven to 425 F.

1/2 pound Sweet Italian sausage, removed from casings
1/2 pound hamburger
2 and 1/2 teaspoons steak seasoning ( I used McCormick Grill Mates Molasses and Bacon Steak Seasoning)

1 Tablespoon bacon fat
1/2 large onion, chopped
1/2 pepper, chopped (I used a mild orange pepper)
1/4 cup brown sugar

15-16 ounces tomato sauce (one of the medium cans)
2 Tablespoons tomato paste
1 Tablespoon Braggs apple cider vinegar
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2-3  pinches crushed red pepper
1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper
3/4 teaspoon yellow or Dijon mustard

half of a regular sized pack of cream cheese plus 2 Tablespoons (softened at room temperature)

1 and 1/2 cup sour cream
3/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 cup cheddar, divided (I was low on cheddar so sprinkled a little Parmesan on top)
1/3 cup green onions (divided)
Tater Tots

Cook meat with steak seasoning, and drain (do not rinse)

Combine cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder and half of the chopped green onion.

In large fry pan, brown chopped onion  and 1/2 chopped pepper (red green, yellow, orange whatever you have left from perhaps a salad) in bacon fat  until caramelized, add sugar, remove from heat and stir until the sugar is melted and caramelized.

Add tomato sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, mustard and meat and simmer 15-20  minutes or until thickened and the liquid reduced.

Place half the meat sauce  in a 8 x 10 inch casserole dish.

Spread cream cheese mixture over meat sauce, sprinkle with half of the cheddar cheese and  top with remaining meat sauce.

Top with a layer of tater tots and bake at 425 F. for 20-24 minutes until the potatoes are browned and crispy.  Sprinkle with remaining cheddar and green onion a it comes out of the oven.