Sloppy Joe Casserole is Loaded with flavorful ground beef, sweet onion, tangy tomato sauce, and savory seasonings, topped with a generous layer of melted cheddar cheese.

It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner or a potluck gathering with friends. It’s a meal that can be made quickly and easily on any day of the week.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It is comforting And Delicious. The best kind of comfort food is Sloppy Joe Casserole. The combination of savory and sweet flavors in this dish will make you feel full and content.
• Easy And Quick. The total time to make this dish, from start to finish, is only 35 minutes. It’s ideal for weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to cook but still want a satisfying meal.
• Perfect For Sharing. Bring this delicious Sloppy Joe Casserole to your next potluck or family gathering.

Ingredients For Sloppy Joe Casserole

• Ground Beef. The dish’s main attraction also happens to be its primary protein source. The ground beef is browned and seasoned, giving the casserole a robust and flavorful foundation.
• Onion. The onion not only gives the dish a sweet and savory flavor but also helps the ground beef retain moisture as it cooks.
• Garlic. Garlic is an extremely effective flavor enhancer, and it greatly improves the dish. Possible health benefits include improved immunity and reduced inflammation.
• Tomato Sauce. Tomato sauce not only helps to bind the ingredients together but also adds a rich, tangy flavor to the dish. Vitamin C, potassium, and iron are just some of the vitamins and minerals found in them.
• Ketchup. Ketchup not only thickens the sauce but also imparts signature sweet and sour flavor to the dish. Potassium and vitamin C are also present in trace amounts.
• Mustard. The sweet ketchup is tempered by the tangy mustard, creating a deliciously balanced flavor.
• Worcestershire Sauce. This sauce enhances the overall flavor of the dish with its savory and slightly sweet flavor.
• Brown Sugar. The brown sugar counteracts the acidity of the tomato sauce with its rich, molasses-like sweetness.
• Salt And Pepper. These common seasonings not only improve the dish as a whole but also highlight the innate flavors of the other ingredients.
• Cheese. Cheese not only helps to form a delicious golden-brown crust on top of the casserole but also adds a creamy, salty flavor.

What Kind Of Cheese Works Best In Sloppy Joe Casserole?

Sloppy Joe Casserole is best with Cheddar cheese because it is a flavorful cheese that complements the tomato sauce and beef. A deliciously crisp and gooey topping can be made by sprinkling the casserole with shredded sharp cheddar cheese.

How Can I Make My Sloppy Joe Casserole Spicier?

Add some diced jalapenos or green chilies to the Sloppy Joe Casserole for some extra heat. If you like things on the spicy side, spice up the sauce with some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. Find the right amount of heat and flavor by experimenting with different spices like chili powder and smoked paprika.

Is It Possible To Cook Sloppy Joe Casserole In A Slow Cooker?

Sloppy Joe Casserole can be made in a slow cooker. Before putting it all in the slow cooker, brown the ground beef in a skillet. Stir occasionally while cooking on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours. For an extra 30 minutes of baking time, sprinkle the casserole with cheese for a melty, flavorful finish.

How Do I Make Sloppy Joe Casserole Without Using Canned Soup?

Tomato sauce for Sloppy Joe Casserole can be made from scratch with tomato paste, water, and any seasonings you like, such as garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. To make a smooth sauce, you can also use diced tomatoes from a can and blend them in a food processor or blender. Doing so will yield a casserole sauce that is both more flavorful and more recently prepared.

Cooking Instructions For Sloppy Joe Casserole

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until it is no longer pink. Remove all excess fat.
• Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the ground beef in the skillet. Cook the onion for two to three minutes, or until translucent.
• In a skillet, combine tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir the ingredients until they are thoroughly combined.
• Place the mixture in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese shreds over the mixture.
• Bake the casserole until the cheese is melted and bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Before serving, allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes. Enjoy!

What To Serve With Sloppy Joe Casserole

• Garlic Roasted Green Beans. These green beans, tossed in olive oil and garlic before being roasted, are a welcome crunch to the otherwise cheesy, gooey Sloppy Joe Casserole. The beef and tomato sauce is complemented by the garlic and olive oil in this delicious side dish.
• Creamy Coleslaw. Light and crunchy slaw made from cabbage and carrots tossed in a creamy dressing is the perfect complement to the hearty Sloppy Joe Casserole. The coleslaw’s tangy and creamy flavors are a welcome contrast to the heartiness of the casserole.
• Baked Sweet Potato Fries. Sloppy Joe Casserole tastes great with a side of sweet potato fries that have been baked until crisp and seasoned with salt and paprika. The acidity of the tomato sauce in the casserole is tempered by the sweetness of the fries.
• Caesar Salad. The creamy Sloppy Joe Casserole is nicely balanced by the zesty Caesar salad with its crunchy romaine lettuce and croutons. The tartness of the dressing is a welcome contrast to the fatty casserole.
• Grilled Corn On The Cob. Corn on the cob, seasoned with salt and butter and grilled, adds a smoky sweetness to the otherwise savory Sloppy Joe Casserole. The corn adds sweetness, which pairs well with the tanginess of the tomato sauce.

Recipe Variations

• Mexican-Inspired Sloppy Joe Casserole. Add some heat to this traditional casserole by mixing in some black beans, corn, and diced green chilies. The shredded Mexican cheese blend is sprinkled on top and served with sour cream and chopped cilantro. Those who prefer more robust flavors will appreciate this variation.
• Vegetarian Sloppy Joe Casserole. Try substituting crumbled tofu, cooked lentils, or textured vegetable protein for ground beef. For more flavor and texture, throw in some bell pepper, diced tomatoes, and sautéed mushrooms.
• Bbq Sloppy Joe Casserole. Rather than using tomato sauce, try substituting BBQ sauce for the traditional sauce in the beef mixture. Add some texture by topping it with shredded cheddar cheese and fried onions.
• Sloppy Joe Casserole With Tater Tots. Toss some crispy tater tots on top of the beef instead of pasta. Bake the tater tots with shredded cheddar cheese on top until the cheese is melted and the tots are golden and crisp.
• Sloppy Joe Casserole With Mac And Cheese. Add a layer of macaroni and cheese on top of the beef mixture for a satisfying combination of two classic comfort foods.

How To Store Sloppy Joe Casserole

• In The Fridge. Sloppy Joe Casserole can be stored in an airtight container after it has cooled to room temperature. It can be kept for up to 4 days in the fridge.
• In The Freezer. Sloppy Joe Casserole can be frozen after it has cooled completely and been tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze it for up to three months.
• Reheat. Sloppy Joe Casserole is best reheated at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The casserole should be refrigerated overnight to defrost if frozen. Wrap the casserole in foil and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, or until hot throughout. Alternatively, you can heat individual servings in the microwave for 1–2 minutes. Halfway through reheating, stir the casserole to ensure even heating.

Try More Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Meatball Casserole
• Pioneer Woman Cabbage Casserole
• Pioneer Woman Hash Brown Casserole

Sloppy Joe Casserole Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving

• Calories 279.5
• Total Fat 8.5g
• Saturated Fat 2.4g
• Trans Fat g
• Cholesterol 92.5mg
• Sodium 681.2mg
• Potassium 277.7mg
• Total Carbohydrate 27.5g
• Dietary Fiber 4.3g
• Sugars 10.8g
• Protein 21.5g
• Vitamin A 52.4%
• Vitamin C 87.6%
• Calcium 5.8%
• Iron 11.8%
• Vitamin D 3.8%