Sloppy Joes have long been a comfort food favorite — sweet, tangy, saucy ground beef piled onto soft sandwich buns. But this Sloppy Joe Casserole takes things a step further. It brings all those bold, nostalgic flavors into a warm, cheesy baked dish that’s incredibly easy to prepare and even easier to love.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, looking for a potluck hit, or just craving something hearty and satisfying, this recipe checks every box. Imagine layers of saucy meat, pasta or biscuit topping, and gooey melted cheese… yep, it’s as amazing as it sounds!
Why You’ll Love This Casserole
- 🍝 Comfort food at its finest
- 🍔 All the flavor of Sloppy Joes, minus the mess
- 🧀 Extra cheesy and satisfying
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect for weeknight dinners and picky eaters
- 🔁 Easy to customize with pantry staples
Ingredients (U.S. Standard Measurements – Serves 6–8)
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Casserole Base:
- 3 cups cooked elbow macaroni or rotini (or use biscuit dough for a bready version)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend)
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (for greasing the dish)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Meat
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
Add diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
Stir in ketchup, tomato paste, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and paprika if using. Simmer on low for 5–7 minutes until thick and flavorful.
Step 3: Assemble the Casserole
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Spread cooked pasta into the dish (or line the bottom with halved biscuit dough). Pour the Sloppy Joe meat mixture evenly over the pasta. Top with shredded cheese.
Step 4: Bake
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden.
Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Optional Toppings & Variations
- 🌽 Add frozen corn or black beans for extra heartiness
- 🌶 Spice it up with diced jalapeños or chipotle powder
- 🧄 Top with crispy fried onions for crunch
- 🥖 Serve with garlic bread or corn muffins
- 🧊 Make it ahead: assemble and refrigerate, then bake when ready
Storage
- 🧊 Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days
- ❄️ Freeze in individual portions for up to 2 months
- 🔥 Reheat in the oven or microwave until hot and bubbly
Nutrition Facts (Estimated per serving)
- Calories: 460
- Protein: 24g
- Carbs: 36g
- Fat: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 720mg
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