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Skip the bun in this Sloppy Joe Casserole made with pasta, a saucy ground beef mixture, and shredded cheese. You’ll enjoy all of the incredible flavors of a sloppy joe sandwich in casserole form for an easy weeknight meal the whole family will love!
Everyone enjoys a hearty casserole and it’s the easiest way to serve dinner to a hungry crowd! If you’re looking for more casserole recipes to try, this chicken parmesan casserole is one of my favorites!
My kids love pasta and they will never say no to a saucy and cheesy pasta dish! When I make a pasta casserole, I know I will be able to please all the kids. This sloppy Joe casserole is a fun twist on the nostalgic childhood favorite! The traditional sandwich gets a makeover with the addition of pasta baked into a comforting, flavorful casserole.
This is the perfect dish to make for your family because both kids and adults can’t get enough! It tastes amazing and it’s less messy than a real sloppy joe! My kids also love this Simple Spaghetti Casserole that I make at least once a month.
Ingredients needed
Flavorful beef, tomato sauce, noodles, and plenty of cheese come together for the most amazing meal! You’ll find the exact measurements of each ingredient in the recipe card below.
- Pasta: I like to use whole wheat or protein pasta for more nutritional benefits.
- Ground beef: Use lean ground beef for less fat.
- Onion & garlic: Sweet onion and freshly minced garlic are sautéed with the ground beef for a complex flavor.
- Tomato sauce: For that classic tomato-y flavor we love.
- Ketchup: You can use sugar-free spicy ketchup or classic ketchup for a touch of tanginess to the sauce.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a punch of flavor to the sauce.
- Kosher salt & pepper: Brings out all of the delicious flavors.
- Cheddar cheese: The shredded cheddar cheese gets bubbly and melty as the casserole cooks, which is enough to take this dish to the next level.
Variations and substitutions
This recipe is easy to switch up and make according to your taste preference. Here are some ideas for simple ingredient swaps to change things up:
- Noodles: Any short pasta like rotini, penne, small shells, or fusilli works great for this recipe.
- Protein: Instead of ground beef, feel free to use ground turkey, Italian sausage or ground chicken.
- Add vegetables: If you’re trying to add more veggies to your diet, try stirring sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or carrots into the meat mixture.
- Cheese: Swap out the cheddar for another variety that melts well, such as Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or mozzarella cheese.
How to make sloppy Joe casserole
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
Cook the pasta in salted water according to package timing. Once done, reserve 1 cup of water then drain the pasta and place in a baking dish. Cook the beef in a deep skillet over medium heat. Once no longer pink, stir in the onion and garlic. Continue to cook until it starts to brown.
Step 2: Add the tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper. Allow the sauce to boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Add in the pasta water and simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Pour this sauce over the pasta in the baking dish. Spread the sauce evenly over the pasta.
Step 4: Top with shredded cheese and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS 😍
My Simple Tips
- Cook the pasta al dente: You don’t want your pasta to be overcooked and you will be heating this dish further in the oven, so be sure to only cook it to al dente. It should still have a slight bite to it.
- Use freshly grated cheese: For the best flavor and melting, use freshly grated cheese from a block.
- Make it gluten-free: This casserole can easily be adapted to gluten-free friendly by using any gluten-free pasta.
Frequently asked questions
It has been said that sloppy Joe sandwiches were a product of Iowa’s famous loose meat sandwiches. One of the cooks named Joe, at Floyd Angell’s Cafe in Sioux City, Iowa, added tomato sauce to his version of loose meat sandwiches and sloppy Joes were born.
Serve this as a meal on its own or pair it with a side salad or vegetables. It would be great with something like my garlic roasted broccolini, baked balsamic asparagus, or easy sautéed zucchini.
Yes. If you would like to use ground turkey instead of beef you sure can. I recommend using lean ground Turkey.
Storage recommendations
- Storing leftovers: Once cool, cover the dish with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 3-5 days.
- To reheat: Rewarm individual servings in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes or until warmed through.
More casserole recipes to try
- Cheeseburger Casserole
- Chicken Cauliflower Rice Casserole
- Spaghetti Casserole
- Harvest Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Healthy Tuna Casserole
If you try a recipe and you like it, leave me some feedback in the comment section below, and don’t forget to rate it!
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Sloppy Joe Casserole
Ingredients
- 12 ounces whole wheat or protein pasta
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 sweet onion, finely diced
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- 15 ounces tomato sauce, one can
- 1 cup sugar-free spicy or classic ketchup
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
- Cook the 12 ounces whole wheat or protein pasta in salted water according to package timing. Once done, reserve 1 cup of water then drain the pasta and place it in a baking dish.
- Cook the 1 pound lean ground beef in a deep skillet over medium heat. Once no longer pink, stir in the chopped 1 sweet onion and the 2-3 garlic cloves (minced). Continue to cook until it starts to brown.
- Add the 15 ounces tomato sauce, 1 cup sugar-free spicy or classic ketchup, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, and Kosher salt and pepper. Allow the sauce to boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Add in the pasta water and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Pour this sauce over the pasta in the baking dish.
- Top with 1 cup cheddar cheese and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly.
Notes
- Storing leftovers: Once cool, cover the dish with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 3-5 days.
- To reheat: Rewarm individual servings in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes or until warmed through.
- You may use ground turkey instead of ground beef.
- Use any shredded cheese of your choice.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
