It is made from scratch, all in one skillet, without any Manwich sauce so it’s fresh, healthy, and hearty comfort food the whole family will love! Serve whatever side dish for sloppy joes your family likes, whether it be a side salad or a few grilled veggies and you’ve got a quick and easy dinner idea for any weeknight! Casseroles are one of the greatest inventions. They’re so easy to whip up, they serve a hungry crowd (with leftovers!) and they’re great for potlucks, dinner parties, and freezing meals for neighbors. When ground beef is on sale, I stock up keeping in mind my meal plan for the week which usually includes any one of my beef casserole recipes such as walking taco casserole, tater tot casserole, or cowboy casserole. So this hamburger casserole fits right in! If you want to try a different version of sloppy joe casserole, I have a delicious Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole that you should try next! Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread is also amazing.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Key Ingredients
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Ground beef – I use lean ground beef to not produce more than enough excess grease and to keep it a bit lighter. The flavors of the sloppy Joe sauce are enough that I don’t need to worry about getting the most flavor out of the beef itself. Aromatics – Small yellow onion and minced garlic cloves are a powerhouse duo of flavors. Veggies – Red bell pepper and corn (frozen or drained from a can) are on the sweeter side and compliment the sweetness of the ketchup and brown sugar in the sauce. Diced tomatoes – Canned diced tomatoes can be regular or low sodium, it’s up to you. If using regular, you can skip the added salt if preferred. For the sloppy Joe sauce – Ketchup, Light brown sugar, yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce make the sweet saucy component. In other words, together they put the sloppy in sloppy Joe. Seasoning – Just a bit of salt and ground black pepper is enough to enhance the other flavors. Uncooked penne pasta – Cook according to package instructions. Cheese – Freshly grated (from a block!) Colby Jack cheese and Cheddar cheeses are a nice sharp and flavorful combo of cheesy goodness. Half of it gets baked into the casserole and the other half is used as a melted topping. So good! Fresh chopped parsley – For garnish and a herby finish.
How to Make a Sloppy Joe Casserole
Recipe Tips & Variations
When choosing ground beef, I look for anywhere from 80-90% lean. There are recipes that require a bit more flavor from the beef itself, but I find lean works. Extra-lean is a bit too much. It’s important to dice all your veggies to an even size. Not only will they cook evenly, but it also makes for a more pleasing bite when not one thing is overpowering another. You’ll notice the corn is added later than the peppers. Keep it that way! The corn just needs to be heated through, the peppers actually need time to cook down and become soft. For a sauce with a bit less refined sugar, use maple syrup instead of brown sugar. If you like a little added heat to your Sloppy Joes, feel free to sprinkle in a bit of chipotle or chili powder. I love the combination of Colby Jack and Cheddar, but feel free to switch it up to your favorites. You can also just use more of one or the other or omit one completely.
Ways To Serve It
This really is a complete meal all on its own, so you won’t need much in addition to it. If you’re serving a larger crowd, some simple sides are always nice to have. Salads: Caesar salad, a simple tossed green salad with a homemade apple cider vinaigrette, or a crunchy creamy coleslaw would be yummy. Drinks: With a heavier meal, a refreshing drink to accompany it is always welcome. A frozen mango daiquiri or a loquat vodka cocktail (replace the loquats for apricots in the winter…or if you have no idea what a loquat is or where to find one) and a strawberry watermelon smoothie for the kids! There’s no such thing as too many casserole recipes and this one is by far one of the best! Don’t forget to share this warming comfort meal with others so they too can feed a crowd a yummy meal on a budget! © Little Sunny Kitchen
