Sloppy Joe Casserole Recipe

This easy Sloppy Joe Casserole Recipe is perfect for those times when you want to eat Sloppy Joes on a fork instead of on a bun. Based on my wildly popular Sloppy Joe recipe, it’s made all in one pot and ready in 30 minutes or less, start to finish.

Ingredient notes

• Ground beef: Or substitute ground turkey or venison.
• Onion: Finely chopped celery and a green bell pepper are great too!
• Brown sugar: Even a tablespoon is too much for some people, so just leave it out if it sounds horrible to you.
• Worcestershire sauce: In a pinch, you can substitute soy sauce.
• Ground mustard: Or substitute an equal amount of prepared yellow mustard or Dijon mustard.

Step-by-step instructions

1. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add beef and onion and stir to combine. Brown ground beef until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain well.
2. To the pot with the drained beef mixture, add pasta, chicken broth, tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and dried mustard. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered until pasta is al dente, about 10 to 12 minutes.
3. Season the sloppy joe meat to taste with salt and pepper (I like ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper). Serve with cheddar cheese and hot sauce if desired and garnish with fresh parsley.

Recipe tips and variations

• Yield: This Sloppy Joe Casserole makes over 8 cups of casserole (not including the cheese), enough for 8 servings, 1 cup each. 
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: This a great freezer meal to keep on hand. Freeze the whole casserole covered in plastic wrap or aluminum foil or divide into smaller portions. Label, date, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave.
• Cheese on top: Sprinkle the top of your finished casserole with shredded cheddar or Colby-jack cheese, then cover until melted through, about 5 minutes.
• Bread crumb topping: Just like baked mac and cheese, Sloppy Joe Casserole is fancy with a buttery crumb crust. Transfer the finished casserole to a baking dish, add your buttered crumbs, and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.
• Spicy flavor: If you love some heat, throw in a tablespoon of ancho chili powder, a teaspoon of ground cumin, or a couple of chipotle chilies in adobo. Don’t forget to pass the hot sauce, too!
• Sloppy Joe Casserole with BBQ sauce: Your favorite barbecue sauce can be added in place of ketchup for a sweet and smoky taste.
• Sloppy Joe tater tot casserole: Skip the pasta and spoon the meat mixture and sloppy joe sauce into a casserole dish. Top with frozen tater tots and bake at 375 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes. Inspired by the classic Tater Tot Casserole.
• Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes: This recipe combines two family favorites into one crazy delicious sandwich you’ll be asked (begged) to make on a regular basis. It’s lightning-fast to make, in a skillet or crockpot, and is a sure thing with kids and adults alike.

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Sloppy Joe Casserole Recipe

By Meggan Hill

This easy Sloppy Joe Casserole Recipe is perfect for those times when you want to eat Sloppy Joes on a fork instead of on a bun.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings 8 servings (1 cup each)

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Calories 510

5 from 12 votes

ReviewPrint

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

• ▢ 1 pound ground beef (see note 1)
• ▢ 1 small onion peeled and finely chopped (see note 2)
• ▢ 1 pound cavatappi pasta or other small pasta
• ▢ 4 cups chicken broth or water
• ▢ 8 ounces tomato sauce
• ▢ 1/2 cup ketchup
• ▢ 1 tablespoon brown sugar packed (see note 3)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (see note 4)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried mustard (see note 5)
• ▢ Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• ▢ 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese for serving, optional
• ▢ hot sauce for serving, optional
• ▢ 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley for garnish, optional

Instructions 

• In a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add beef and onion and stir to combine. Cook until the meat is mostly browned, about 5 minutes. Drain well.
• To the pot with the drained beef, add pasta, chicken broth, tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and dried mustard. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered until pasta is tender, about 10 to 12 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper (I like ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper). Serve with cheddar cheese and hot sauce if desired and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

1. Ground beef: Or substitute ground turkey or venison.
2. Onion: Finely chopped celery and a green bell pepper are great too!
3. Brown sugar: Even a tablespoon is too much for some people, so just leave it out if it sounds horrible to you.
4. Worcestershire sauce: In a pinch, you can substitute soy sauce.
5. Ground mustard: Or substitute an equal amount of prepared yellow mustard or Dijon mustard.
6. Yield: This Sloppy Joe Casserole makes over 8 cups of casserole (not including the cheese), enough for 8 servings, 1 cup each. 
7. Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cupCalories: 510kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 25gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 961mgPotassium: 486mgFiber: 2gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 571IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 240mgIron: 2mg

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