Oh heck yes—Sloppy Joe Casserole is pure cozy, weeknight comfort. Here’s a classic, crowd-pleasing version that’s easy and flexible.
🧀 Sloppy Joe Casserole
⏱️ Time
- Prep: 10–15 min
- Bake: 25–30 min
- Total: ~40 min
🥘 Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (optional but good)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup Sloppy Joe sauce (Manwich or homemade)
- 1 cup cooked pasta or 3 cups frozen tater tots
(elbow macaroni, rotini, or shells work great) - 1½ cups shredded cheddar or Colby-Jack cheese
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional add-ins: corn, black beans, jalapeños, pickle slices 😏
🔥 Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Brown the meat in a skillet over medium heat. Drain excess grease.
- Add onion, pepper, and garlic. Cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in Sloppy Joe sauce. Season with salt & pepper.
- Assemble casserole:
- If using pasta: mix cooked pasta into the meat mixture.
- If using tater tots: spread meat mixture in the dish, then top with tots.
- Sprinkle cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
- Let rest 5 minutes (hardest step). Serve and enjoy.
🌟 Variations
- Biscuit version: Top with quartered canned biscuits instead of pasta/tots.
- Low-carb: Swap pasta for cauliflower rice.
- Extra sloppy: Add ¼ cup beef broth or extra sauce.
- Kid-approved: Add a little brown sugar for sweetness.
Want a from-scratch Sloppy Joe sauce, a slow-cooker version, or a spicy upgrade? 😄
